Thinking about a G. Smithii

elkinsda · #1 11/21/2007, 01:45 AM

Hey mantis lovers,

I've just setup a 29g tank, its cycling atm. I'm thinking about putting a G. Smithii in there, and was wondering would he bother my corals that i'll be placing in there in the future? Also would it be possible to put a fish in there with him? And is there any inverts i could house in there with the mantis?

Thanks for the help and info

gholland · #2 11/21/2007, 08:56 AM

Probably depends on the individual. Smithii seem to be variable in behavior. Mine is definitely on the shy side. She has never bothered my corals (dendros, cladiella, or discosomas). Never touched my basket star. Never even attacked my hermits or snails! She DID show interest in an emerald crab but that's about it.

Can't say how she would do with fish.

supateddy · #3 11/21/2007, 09:00 AM

I don't think a Smithii would be any particular threat to the corals, but if they aren't large or aren't held down in some fashion, it will probably use them for decorating.

I know that the almighty Tim (R.I.P) had a fish with him for a while, but the fish picked on the mantis and made him reclusive. Some people have kept fish with a mantis fine, others last a month or two at most. If you are going to try it, I would suggest a less expensive fish that stays in the water column.

We are able to keep astrea snails with our mantis (about 2" long) without him attacking them. They have a thick enough shell to have a decent chance at survival.

G.SMITHII · #4 11/21/2007, 04:12 PM

this pics gettin a lot of play today

but being that G.Smithiis are intertidal species, i went with a lot of rock and sand. (just under 2lbs per gal each)

i got small rocks so there are alot of crannies for him to explore and such.

again the intertidal species can tolorate more light than others, so i went medium w/ the lights, but enought for zoos and most LPS.

and i use the aqua epoxy stuff to "fasten" corals down. mainly in reguard to my turbo, not the mantis.

as long as i keep him fed with seclone soaked frozens, and small hermits and snails, he seems to see my fire fish as "not worth the effort."