Taming a Mantis ????????

[cgsimison]

I have at least one Mantis shrimp that hitchhiked in on some live rock. They are so cool I would like to keep him. My first thought was that he would be better off in my refugium, but then I started feeding him with a pipette like I do my other stuff (stars, anemones, crabs and shrimps). He comes out of his hole and grabs the end of the pipette like my sally light foot crab does. Can he be tamed and kept fed enough to be a polite reef inhabitant? Has anyone attempted this before? <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" />

 

[wamp]

Mantis are deadly for tankmates. They cannot be tammed. My opinion though..

 

[jakob4001]

what kind of mantis shrimp do you have; there are different speices; we have few very small tny ones that seem to do no harm & keep to themselves for the most part; only tend to come out after lights out

 

[captained]

Well, Ted Bundy's neighbors thought he was an OK guy for a while too...

 

[bbreaux1]

id think even if you could keep him well fed id be worried about something getting to close to him and he feel treaten and take to the offense

 

[cgsimison]

OK OK I get it! I'll try to get him out and put him in the refugium. I have ordered a trap as every other method has failed. I have not removed the rock and given it a freshwater bath because it weighs over 30 lbs and I am not sure I can lift it out of the tank. Also, I think I have more than one! We aren't sure if there are two or the one moves from one rock to another! OUCH!! <img src="graemlins//eek.gif" border="0" alt="[eek]" />

 

[broomer5]

Good Idea !
very funny CaptainEd

 

[rickt4du]

What kind of trap is it? And where did you buy it?
Thanks and have a great day!

 

[jodeman]

Is it really true that these guys can crack your aquarium glass when they get big ??

 

[bigeyedfish]

Yep, happened to my boss. He had to drain the tank immediately after cause it started leaking.

 

[lordofthereef]

ya know what they say.
they have the force uf a 22 calibur!! <img src="graemlins//eek.gif" border="0" alt="[eek]" />

 

[ubeturwrasse]

there are two types of mantis shrimp.
1) clubbers (have club feet that can crack off rock and shells in search for food at an unimaginable force)
2) slicers (have scales on their claws that are sharper than a razor and can slice you to the bone in a split second used to scavenger and kill its food)
being wild crustaceans from the ocean, i would doubt you could tame them, thats a big leap from teaching them to eat from a stick.
they are cool creatures, just be sure to handle them carefully. if held in your hand they can break a bone or slice you good, so be careful!
your fuge would be a good place for it, but you still run the risk of it breaking the tank if its a clubber.