The amazing Mantis Shrimp

[AmbientXplosion]

Is anyone familiar with the Mantis Shrimp? It is a large, amazingly colored, temperamental salt water shrimp.
Ive been interested in these for a while now, and one day I hope to have one. Just curious if anyone else here fancies this super shrimp!

Where can I look online for the best info regarding the care of these guys?

 

[jthorntonwillis]

I watched one of these things BREAK the side of an aquarium while trying to kill a feeder fish.I was amazed!! If they punched a human we would be DEAD!! if they were our size..

 

[klawfran3]

I watched one of these things BREAK the side of an aquarium while trying to kill a feeder fish.I was amazed!! If they punched a human we would be DEAD!! if they were our size..

Mantis shrimps are quite fun to watch with their antics. The aquarium I work at has one who is quite aggressive. They feed him chopped fish bits and mussels. Mantis shrimps have two types of "guns". One is the classic bludgeon that everyone is familiar with, and the other is a spearish one used for stabbing. If you want to keep one as a pet, be prepared to have a tank specifically for it only, with thick THICK glass or preferably acrylic. There are chips in the acrylic of his aquarium because visitors tease him and he strikes at them. They are quite inquisitive with amazing eyesight, that completely blows ours out of the water (pun intended). Just be sure that if you have one you watch your fingers. I have seen pretty bad bruises, a broken bone, and split fingernails on the Internet from these bad boys. I very much enjoy them, but if I were to get one, it would be a low stimulation no contact animal because of the threats it poses to its environment and my hands. (Low stimulation as in I don't do anything to disturb it.)

 

[AmbientXplosion]

I figured Id go with acrylic. I have no visitors to tease him, the only thing I can foresee is the curious cat possibly being too curious. The dogs do not tend to notice things like this, but Boris the cat will think its something new for him to sit on, or new entertainment I brought just for him. lol
He is often perched upon the T set up (he cannot knock it over, its secure) and my aquariums.

 

[asiletto]

A funny video, if you haven't seen it: True Facts About The Mantis Shrimp

[video=youtube;F5FEj9U-CJM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5FEj9U-CJM[/video]

 

[josh_r]

If you do not want to risk a broken finger or a broken aquarium, consider one of the smaller species of mantis shrimp. there are many many many species out there.

---------- Post added 01-09-2014 at 01:34 PM ----------

A funny video, if you haven't seen it: True Facts About The Mantis Shrimp

[video=youtube;F5FEj9U-CJM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5FEj9U-CJM[/video]

HAHAHAHAHA!!!!! That is hilarious!!!

 

[AmbientXplosion]

Im really wanting a larger one. no worries about my fingers, not going anywhere near! lol
I wonder other than acrylic, what other requirements there should be for the aquariums "glass". I wonder if they make such thick acrylic set ups, or if its something to get custom made. Sure sounds pricey.
Maybe I go with a smaller one.

That vid was awesome

 

[ShredderEmp]

If you are using glass, be prepared to have it bulletproof thickness. They will break regular aquariums.

 

[edgeofthefreak]

And of course:

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/mantis_shrimp

 

[catfishrod69]

These are absolutely amazing! If only they were freshwater. Might be worth setting up a small salt water tank just for one of these though.

 

[AmbientXplosion]

Yup thats my plan. It will be my first experience with a SW aquarium. I want her to have plenty of room and an attractive set up.
I figure id name her, spoil her and such.
I do not have a local fish store unless i drive an hour and a half so I am a little concerned with proper diet, etc. Still researching, may be moving in the spring anyway and I will be closer to fish store. - and luckily its a good one!

 

[catfishrod69]

I figure feeding them feeder goldfish would be ok. Even though the goldfish is freshwater, i wouldnt think it would hurt. And your local walmart should carry those.

 

[just1moreT]

Those goldfish would not hurt it I have watch people feed there salt water fish goldies probally be a good show dropping a fish in and watching the mantis go at im sure I seen these mantis shrimp on the menu when I was in the phillipines might have been another sp.

 

[CitizenNumber9]

And of course:

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/mantis_shrimp

THIS.

I think I'm in love <3

 

[edgeofthefreak]

THIS.

I think I'm in love <3

Isn't it just fantastic? Glad I could share a laugh!

 

[CitizenNumber9]

Isn't it just fantastic? Glad I could share a laugh!

Now I want a mantis shrimp JUST so I can hang up this comic next to its aquarium :laugh:

 

[herpguy]

Yup thats my plan. It will be my first experience with a SW aquarium. I want her to have plenty of room and an attractive set up.
I figure id name her, spoil her and such.
I do not have a local fish store unless i drive an hour and a half so I am a little concerned with proper diet, etc. Still researching, may be moving in the spring anyway and I will be closer to fish store. - and luckily its a good one!

Keeping an invertebrate as your first SW experience is not really a good idea. SW tanks are very hard to set up, cycle, and maintain. Keeping invertebrates is then again heads and shoulders harder than keeping fish.

 

[MatthewM1]

A buddy of mine who's big into fish and sw tanks just picked one of these up a day or 2 ago, cant wait for him to put up some pics of it

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