peek a boo!

[got bait?]

Yes this mantis lives in my reef. So I buy a few more snails than most. He's just sooo cute. he'll take some shrimp right out of my hand. He'll actuall come out and cruise the front of the tank for a while.

 

[An t-iasg]

Mantis shrimp are beautiful, smart and interactive creatures...as long as they aren't in the main tank with the fish! Everyone who has a mantis in its own tank seems to enjoy it. I can see why, but eating out of your hand?! Be careful!

 

[got bait?]

as long as they aren't in the main tank with the fish

He is. As long as he's well fed, there shouldn't be a problem. Just bought another 100 snails for that purpose. Only have a Lawn Mower, YT, Purple fire fish, and 2 lyretails, no problems yet. Only been in the tank for mos though. Time will tell.
I just like that whole natural reef approach, macros in display, predator prey kinda thing. i obviously don't want him to eat any fish, but if he does, I buy a bigger fish.

He's actually crawled onto my hand! 8O

 

[Fluff]

Great pic! He looks like a keeper. I also love those zoos behind him. Nice color.

 

[oscarbreeder]

Great pic.

 

[Guest]

we should get someone to make this a sticky in the SW forums and call it Peek-A-Boo

 

[got bait?]

Thanks for the props everyone.

 

[Vip]

nice, took me a while to figure out what i was looking at lol, or what was looking at me

 

[fishfreek]

Thats great. And wonderful coraline coloration.

 

[got bait?]

Just found a Red Mantis in my tank as well. thought there was alot of noise for one mantis in my tank. he's already come out for dinner twice since I now know where he hangs out.

 

[ScottVinVA]

Crawled into your hand?!?!?!

Dude, they dont call those guys "Thumb Splitters" for nothing. I hear the big guys hit you like a .22 caliber pistol.

I don't know that I would want to be thwapt by any mantis shrimp.

The fish place in Maryland near Indian Head Hwy, orders them for the local Japanese restaurant. They are a bout 5" long and about as big around as a hot dog. ABSOLUTLY beutiful though. VERY bright gree and maroons and oranges. Wow. Sexy.

I wouldn't put my hand near one though.

 

[got bait?]

I don't know that I would want to be thwapt by any mantis shrimp

I don't want to either, but I can't help myself. I have excellent insurance just in case. They just grab the shrimp and run. Used to feed my 36" Red tail catfish and pirana by hand as well.
And yes I would like to hand feed a Great White as well. However this would need to be done from the sanctity of a cage mind you, crazy not stupid.