Feeding Time for Green Mantis Shrimp

[7mikethebike]

how lomg does one of these creatures usually live?

[kikishhll]

where can u buy green mantis shrimp?

[ObviouslySancho]

Hey do these need to dig into sand like peacock mantis shrimp or do they only have to have coral like you do?

[malebytch]

Nice color

[redw22]

you have alot of aiptasias

[AsymptoteInverse]

Wow. That thing is beautiful!

[Fractalisalpha]

omg he is so bright

he looks like a lime jellybean!

[x3senoritobonitox313]

my turtle would kick his ass 

[ThundergodxRaiden]

@x3senoritobonitox313

Actually, your turtle would probably lose his eyes. Mantis shrimp, unlike their namesake, actually have *very* sharp forelegs; strong enough to cut your finger open if you try grabbing one.

[varsity1323]

and what lights

[varsity1323]

what kind of plants do you have on your rocks

[finkjor123]

hey i want to get a 10 gallon tank and im looking for the coolest animal/fish i can get for it. im liking the mantis shrimp, is the green active enough or does it hide all the time?

[digitalmicetails]

its humping the shrimp

[soulzyxxx]

How much does a Mantis cost?

[UploadingEnigma99]

@soulzyxxx Depends on the species, a zebra mantis shrimp costs about 60 bucks, peacocks are like 50, and these green ones are about 24 bucks they grow about 4" perfect for a 10 gallon or more

[luno1989]

what kind of algea/plant is this on your rocks?

[Turtleitis]

cute little fellow

[Zemmest]

Beautiful tank and shrimp

[ralffxin]

what a nice colour

[SpAwNTRiAD]

they got these things at my LFS for 10 bucks a piece... i was thinking about getting one and putting it in my fuge on my reef tank :D i actually want a peacock mantis but having a glass tank... i dont want to chance it breaking it and i know that green mantis max out at 4" and dont have the power to break glass! :D :D :D i just love a stomatopod!

[nonsequitur1979]

That's not a bad deal. These little guys don't pose much of a danger of glass breakage.

[funkmaster100]

@SpAwNTRiAD to my knowledge peacocks can't break your average all glass aquarium

[SpAwNTRiAD]

@funkmaster100 they have been known to crack 1/4" plate glass. so anything less than a 29 gallon tank is at risk. i personally would only want to use an acrylic tank for them.

[funkmaster100]

@SpAwNTRiAD so i should be fine if i get one for my 75 gallon tank?

[SpAwNTRiAD]

@funkmaster100 assuming you have a thicker aquarium you should be fine. like my 240 is either 5/8 or 1/2" im not sure, but i seriously doubt a shrimp would hurt it lol.

you should check out stomatopod .... dot....  com they haave a huge amount of information about mantis shrimp there.

[psycho839]

lucky your little guy takes dead food, my Pseudosquilla ciliata is a fussy little bugger and only seems to attempt to eat small river shrimp and i think thats only at night, i find decapitated shrimp bodies near his burrow, i understand that yours is a smasher were as mine is spearer, did he take to frozen or dead food straight away its hard work the shrimp from my LFS everytime he needs feeding :/

[RICHARDTOMLEY10WHARF]

fatten him up chap thats the way ,although it looks like a fucking greenfly ,rather you eat him than me mate

[nonsequitur1979]

@RICHARDTOMLEY10WHARF I don't know if they are edible man, we just keep them as pets over here.

[RICHARDTOMLEY10WHARF]

@nonsequitur1979 oh cheers

[MaiAngelsuperchild]

where u get it at???!!

[nonsequitur1979]

@MaiAngelsuperchild He came in accidentally. Hidden in a load of liverock.

[robster19961996]

im buying a second one .they r only 15 euros for a baby.

[spineosaur]

how many gallons?

[nonsequitur1979]

@spineosaur at the time the video was taken, he was in a 2.5 gallon tank. He now resides permanently in a 5.5 gallon display.

[spineosaur]

how many gallons?

[spineosaur]

how big of a tank do these guys need?

[nonsequitur1979]

@spineosaur Depends on the species.

[spineosaur]

@nonsequitur1979 this guy.

[shadow7989]

looks like you've got some majano, but the mantis doesnt seem to care!!!

[nonsequitur1979]

@shadow7989 Naw, I like the majanos in a small, controlled environment like this but they can wreak havoc in a huge, carefully decorated reef.

[iMmember91]

he's cute....!!!

but not when it gets bigger... O.o

[HaloKiller1166]

@iMmember91 that type only gets abt 3 inches. i have the same 1.

[star0the0legend]

thoe guys are extremly expensive at pet stores, idk know what kind that one is though not sure if there the same

[nonsequitur1979]

Idunno buddy, maybe if you are going for a really rare species. Most of the ones available from suppliers at my store range from $20 - $70.

[SpitRhyma]

@star0the0legend for a pest they are indeed extremely expensive. But there are far more expensive inhabitants you can buy for your tank.

[iamnub672]

PUNCH TAT FOOD!

[Hanzi89]

Beautiful green colour!

[laskolasko]

Aww, it's so small and cute!

[shadow7989]

where did you get that mantis shrimp. i dont like peakock MS's but i love the green ones

[foxrox0617]

hey is that maidens hair macro?

[nonsequitur1979]

I'm not sure, that term can refer to 3-5 different types of plants in the trade. I don't know what it specifically is off the top of my head but I do like the stuff.

[drewee88]

awesome green colour!

[MintySinty]

The little mantis shrimp probably won't break your hand. Their appendages have claws on them, though, so you can get a nasty cut. And if it gets infected, well, it can be amputated. (If it's infected with the wrong stuff, that is.) A little guy like this wouldn't hurt much with a smash. Bigger ones, like the peacocks, sure, that'd hurt like hell. Look up "mantis shrimp vs my hand."

[MrBeaste]

Do not dare to put your hand in a Mantis tank if you dont know how to handle them. There attack is similar to the force of a shotgun. They'll probably thoink its food and try to eat your hand. O_O

[nonsequitur1979]

This is not one of the species which gets large, nor does it possess dangerous potential. The strongest and largest species can eject their claw with the force of a .22 bullet but definitely not a shotgun. That said, this little guy would still hurt pretty bad if he got you in the finger, but I doubt it would even break skin.

[Katearadomin]

@nonsequitur1979 Your Mantis Shrimp is cute. :3

[Youradumbassbarnes]

Force of a shotgun? They can accerate to that of a .22 caliber bullet. But the foce is equal to A strong Pellet gun

[taintedeyez]

@MrBeaste LMAO similar to the force of a shotgun. So basically what your sayin is a 250 pound man could be knocked to the floor and his entire hand and parts of hit arm blown off from coming into physical contact witht he Mantis Shrimp. COOL! They must be like the Chuck Norrises of the sea.

[marc23674]

I loled at the shotgun comment

[4wheelz2freedom]

this is beautiful

[Joker1234123]

jesus wtf

[MrPsychoMental]

this is awesome.. are they dangerous?

[BucketbotX]

If not handled correctly...actually, you should not handle them at all. The O. scyllarus (Peacock mantis shrimp) or G. chiragra(Alligator mantis shrimp) species requires a tank made of acrylic. If you carelessly put your hand in the tank you could very well get a nasty cut, a broken bone, or a lost finger. And that applies to all species. Im getting a G. Smithii soon. The little dudes are epic.

[81kamill]

Actually the statement of not handling has been proven wrong time to time

there have been handlers who have been able to tame a mantis and and hand feed them without risk.

Just depends on if you are able to build up courage though.

Seen a idiot put his hand in a tank with a mantis and her young and boy did he.. ever... regret it.... 3 busted fingers and a nice messed up wrist

not saying ur wrong but there is always something to other wise.. say well it is possible!

[BucketbotX]

Well, you see my comment was made 2-3 months ago. One can learn lots in that time. And its ok, I was just warning these people that they should not handle them if they do not know how. Taming a mantis is possible, Dr.Roy has a scyllarus in his lab that can solve the Rubik's Cube. You are absolutely correct when you say the can be tamed. But to anyone on you tube that hasnt worked with them professionally for awhile, then I strongly recommend you do NOT put your hand in a mantis tank.

[81kamill]

Yeah that is true but then again the idiots that still do it.... still do it.. funny how they never listen till they have actually.. lost a finger or something

I should ask my.. pal to get on here and upload the videos of stupid ppl... putting their fingers in a tank with a mantis shrimp

cause they think they know everything and never believe anything but what they want to believe.

And they came back to try and sue my friend but never won the case cause he posted up a sign on the tank. lol

[81kamill]

..Heck i sent em a email about it i will keep you posted.. on it and let u know if he says yes or no.

..You might get a laugh or chuckle.. at how dumb these people are.. even when they read the sign and act like it does not apply to them.. or they act like they can't read or something....

Yeah i know ur comment was made that many months ago sorry if i came at ya like that was not trying to insult or anything but acknowledged you're comment and all.

[newharmony85]

Yes some strike with the equivilant force of a bullet. Other can jab you with a spear.

[Laxkorv]

Hell yeah! They will eat you alive if you dont give them their daily sacrifice shrimp!!! You have been warned... :)

[TheXdwarrior]

LOL SURE TOO SMALL

[hairtrigger2]

they are dangerous, they can break a fish tank with one flick and you can lose your finger too

[nonsequitur1979]

@MrPsychoMental Smaller breed like this, probably not; though they could likely split open a finger.

[SpeechlessMime]

Your suppose to let go of the shrimp when it comes out, That metal tweezer can mess up its arms.

[nonsequitur1979]

@SpeechlessMime They bore holes through very hard, calcareous rock with these same claws. I seriously doubt a few indirect taps on the convex surface of a set of metal tweezers is going to cause any damage. Further, they do have nervous systems and are generally aware of their own tolerances, as nature would quickly take them out of the food chain if they weren't.

[hellraiza81]

It would have been more entertaining if the shrimp was alive.

[zarrurer123]

wat was that thing doing? was it flicking the food or was it trying to get the food off?

[itshimkevinkim]

thats what mantis shrimps do they attack their prey with their front claws or legs how ever u want to call it

[tnboy27]

Could u send me a pic of that full tank shot or give me a link to see how many gallon tank

[nonsequitur1979]

Well, many pet stores can order them, though they aren't always available. I'm sure you can find one online easily enough. Or they frequently arrive accidentally with shipments of live rock.

[videogamenerd12345]

man this is so awsome where do you get one?

[imgonnapissuoff]

why would you want a mantis shrimp?

[boltp777]

cuz their awesome pets

[imgonnapissuoff]

It is really cool but don't they hide all day until feeding time? And don't you need an acrylic tank because of their ability to break glass? Or is that something else. I can't remember.

[BucketbotX]

Most are active and interactive. But all things have personalities, so yeah, it could be an active species but it could have a mellow nature. And you need an acrylic tank only for 2 species or species off the same size(smasher species). Those are the O Scyllarus and the G Chiragra (look em up)

[felajamnik]

5/5! great vid.

[cbass163]

that is a cool creature

[kavuss]

are Mantis shrimp salt water or fresh water critters?

[nonsequitur1979]

As far as I know, saltwater only.

[ellanroxy]

this is awesome love the shrimp love the color love what u did for this lil guy

[skimmy290]

just out of my own curiosity is that tank acrylic?

[nonsequitur1979]

No, we like to live dangerously!  ;-P

[skimmy290]

nice =)

[stormtrooperdude]

Smaller mantis lack the power to crack aquariums. It is only like the Peacock Mantis (O. scyllarus) and larger animals that can. I am guessing yours is a G. Viridis, he will never be able to crack the glass even at full size (which he is about now).

[Migueljs16]

being thatsmall I don't think it can hurt if it hits you

does it?

[nonsequitur1979]

Ummm... you definitely feel it, but not big enough to rupture soft tissue yet (though he could probably mess up a fingernail bed pretty good). I got snapped by him when he was only 3/4 of an inch long and it felt like a hornet sting.

[hobojoe357]

hey im thinking about getting this same species but i dont know much about them so is there anything i should know about them and what size tank i need?-- im sorry im sure you get questions of this alot

[nonsequitur1979]

I don't think this particular species gets very large, a five-gallon tank (we do recommend acrylic for when they are adults) would likely do just fine.

[dgardner93]

my dogs named monty

[googlejerry]

don't these things molt?

[nonsequitur1979]

Yes, this one did many times... on one molt... he completely changed color to a dark, coppery brown. On the next 2 molts, he changed back to green. Bizarre.

[googlejerry]

that's beautiful

[RebelSch0lar]

what a retard. if you let that shrimp punch the metal holders its punching arms will start cracking. look it up its true.

[Conductive]

Cracked punching arms? Slow down with the lingo. What does that mean in layman terms?

[nonsequitur1979]

A. Only if you let them do this on a frequent basis.

B. It would heal on the next molt anyway.

C. Like you and I and most any other organism, they have nervous systems, thus are able to sense damage, thus able to relent if they feel they are overdoing it a bit... this one frequently bores caves and holes in extremely dense, hard, calcareous rock.

[liljetad]

let that thing punch u nd record it lol

[MEPICAELBIGOTE]

I have one too, i found it on mi live rock one week ago, and i can`t figure out what to do with it, i'd like to keep him in an other aquarium like you did, but as far as i know they can break the aquarium glass, and i wonder if you could tell me how big they can get, mine is one and a half inch so farand the only aquarium i have for it is a 30 litres one. what do you advise me to do?

[jpetrucci05]

In all honesty they have to be very big, around 10 inches or so to start being considered a threat for breaking glass. Many dont get this big, some do.

[nonsequitur1979]

Put it in an acrylic tank... way stronger than glass, but they scratch easier... still... worth it for the security of knowing that you won't suddenly have a large amount of water cascading to your floor :-p

[Swampfire101]

would it go with a cardinal fish,green puffer,hawk fish(coaral),and a snowflake moray?

[Seishinbunretsusho]

It wouldn't go with anything.

[Narutojikai]

actually i have one with a mandarin goby,and an algae blenny with some corals. Seems to be doing fine, ive seen my mandarin and the mantis chillin together.

[nonsequitur1979]

There are mixed opinions as to whether or not they are compatible with fish. If people want to try it I tell them to at least not attempt it with anything they would be heartbroken to lose. With that said, I know a few people who have done it successfully and the common thread in their success seems to be in feeding it religiously so it has no need to hunt.

[CunningStunt123]

The snowflake might eat it. This one is too small to try attacking a fish any bigger than a clown goby or the like. This species don't get much bigger than this anyway.

[0101charles0101]

no mate species tank only!

[shikanarukiba13]

where can i buy 1

[shikanarukiba13]

can you buy 1 as a pet cuz i'd really like 1

[IKillCowsWithMusic]

yes but you have to set up a 20 gallon saltwater reef tank for it:)

[shikanarukiba13]

wtf that thing is weird yet awesome

[kiddjam]

Hello all,

I have never see such beautiful mantis shrimp before with this color, impressive.

I lived in China, Gruangdong Province, here we eat almost anything, surely tasteful mantis shrimp is on the top of the list, but in China, I have never see this type of colorful shrimp before, but I Love to try it.

Oh, salt fried shrimp is the best, you got to try it when the season come.

[nonsequitur1979]

Gotta taste better than plecostomus at least ;-)

[wiimastergamer]

its so cute ^^

[HeyfaValico]

Aww........He's so cute. How big is he now? And i also think it's great that you created a little habitate for him. Thumps up for you and 5 stars for the video.

[Lv2flair]

Verry nice looking Mantis.

[colbyVas]

people keep asking."can you eat them?" yeah im sure one mantis will fill all you scrawny muthas right up.

[SubzeroFusion]

you have to catch one first, mantis shrimp hit things with it's club like claws so hard that it boils the water between it's prey and it's club. By doing so, it makes a clicking noise.

[Zdaytona05]

ok, i got a red mantis i'm trying to get out of my reef tank, he hitched on some live rock

ideas?

[Rtxoa]

rent an octopus

[jarjojo408]

its so cute =)

[shane1022]

be wild 2 see 2 shrimp go agesnt each other

[nonsequitur1979]

Actually, it happened. We had another one arrive on a separate live-rock order and thought it would be nice to give him a roommate. Big mistake. Within 5 minutes he split his new "friend" right down the middle. Keep in mind that we were not attempting to fight them ;-p.

[Mythbusterzs]

EAT HIM!!!!! COOK THE SHRIMP

[nonsequitur1979]

Someone told me that they are edible. I'm not willing to try it though.

[aspensweden]

would be fun i you post a video to show the shrimps powerful club or what i should call it

[TheUnfocusedOne]

i think u mean Gonodactylellus in ur discription

looks just like my lil guy

i love these lil buggers to death

[SlimTwisted]

Wow it's so amazing to me that such an animal is simply a pest. Indeed it is wonderful that you keep them. I would love to take some off your hands if it weren't for the rigors of shipping!

Great vid!

[jnyca]

Also I applaud you for not euthanizing him and giving him a great home!!

[nonsequitur1979]

Thanks... whenever we receive them as an unintended extra with a shipment of live rock, we usually do try to trap them and find a home for them rather than euthanizing. Even though many would consider them a pest organism, they are very intelligent and complex in some ways. It would seem like such a pity not to give a creature like this a chance for a full life and well-appointed existence :).

[jnyca]

Whoa!!! That is so cool I've never seen a shrimp like that, ferocious lil bugger lol :P Great coloring too!!!

[ilovedapiggiez]

its actually a stomatopod, a crustacean.

[peterbiltexd]

awsome

[kangkung81]

That is an adorable little creature

[MyFishWillPwnU]

cute little guy :)

[nonsequitur1979]

Aye, that he is (in a space-alien-with-a-bad-temper sort of way, hehe). :)

[luigster09]

intresting...