My first mantis video

[extreme_tooth_decay]

Well, no one wanted the suspect crab I pulled from my display, so I gave him to my mantis.

 

I tied a string to him so I could pull him out when the mantis tried to carry him away, and keep him from hiding.

 

I obviously have a lot to learn about making videos, it's pretty crummy quality. I need much better lighting next time, and to get rid of the specimen container that has a recflection in the glass. But, you'll get the picture.

 

If you are offended by watching a crab get killed by a mantis shrimp, do not follow this link.

 

Click here for the video: LINK

 

Food:

 

 

Hungry:

 

Edited November 29, 2008 by extreme_tooth_decay

[zoozilla]

how big is the mantis?

[extreme_tooth_decay]

how big is the mantis?

 

I'd say about 5". He had a really hard time getting through this crab's shell. I need an easier target next time.

 

tim

[gastone]

Tim,

 

awesome as usual. I'd like to incorporate a mantis tank in my next setup (I've kept them in my displays in the past).

 

Nice vid.

 

Garrett.

[octopus]

Awesome! Funny story A few years back I went to the Baltimore aquaruim and asked one of the Marine Biologists if they had a Mantis shrimp, he had know clue what they are. I have wanted one of those for sooo long. Do you have anything else in the tank with him? I have seen videos of people who keep fish in the same tank before.

[jamesbuf]

Now that was a cool video. Keep them coming!!!!

[capsfan]

1

[davelin315]

I didn't turn on the volume so I'm not sure if you said it, but is yours a smasher or a spearer? I'm assuming smasher, but not sure. Cool video, either way.

[smarsh97]

okay, I'm going to be the bah humbug, it would have been much better if the crab wasn't tied to a string defenseless. Much more normal shall we say.

 

But that is a beautiful mantis.

 

Sandy

[zygote2k]

Awesome! Funny story A few years back I went to the Baltimore aquaruim and asked one of the Marine Biologists if they had a Mantis shrimp, he had know clue what they are. I have wanted one of those for sooo long. Do you have anything else in the tank with him? I have seen videos of people who keep fish in the same tank before.

That's odd because that's where I first saw a Mantis in his own display.

 

I didn't turn on the volume so I'm not sure if you said it, but is yours a smasher or a spearer? I'm assuming smasher, but not sure. Cool video, either way.

It's a Peacock Mantis of the smashing type. I used to keep a 6"er in a 90 reef with an 8" Niger trigger.

[lanman]

Not bad! More light, and a tripod next time

 

bob

[extreme_tooth_decay]

Thanks guys, here are some answers:

 

It's a smasher. Got him from Roozen's over a year ago. He has molted twice in that time. It's in my fuge. There are no fish there but I do have a peppermint shrimp who has been there forever (who eats all the pods and substantially de-fuges the fuge). I have seen the peppermint shrimp try to steal food that the mantis was holding. I have also pet the mantis on the head with my finger. He's never attacked anything other than food.

 

I would think that if the mantis was kept fed, it would be fine in a display with fish.

 

The mantis is the most interesting animal I have. I often skewer food on a feeding prong and wave it all over the tank and he swims after it. He always beats the heck out of his food, live or dead.

 

Dave should turn your volume up, there's a lot of good popping sounds.

 

I tried it at first without string, but the crab went and hid too fast, and I had to catch him again. Also that time the mantis didn't seem as interested. The only time I used the string was after the mantis took the crab into his hole (crab had already lost the fight), so I think most of the fight was pretty "natural".

 

+1 to more light and tripod. Also should of cleaned the glass and gotten rid of the specimen container in the reflection. I need to identify the next target but next one will be better. I need to find a crab with an easier shell to crack.

 

This morning there was a little pile of crab shells near his burrow.

 

 

FYI: Did you notice at 37 seconds in how he gets irritated and clubs a snail for good measure?

 

 

tim

Edited November 30, 2008 by extreme_tooth_decay

[octopus]

I have 2 crabs for your Mantis if you wanna drive to Germantown.

[octopus]

I have 2 crabs for your Mantis if you wanna drive to Germantown.

Ooop's scratch that both are dead now :(

[gmubeach]

Wow its like a snake video:) Hope you and your mantis have a great holiday season with lots of hitchhikers to go around!

[extreme_tooth_decay]

Wow its like a snake video:) Hope you and your mantis have a great holiday season with lots of hitchhikers to go around!

 

 

 

Thanks man.

 

FYI: Another battle has been fought...stay tuned later today for video...

 

Let the hitchhikers be plentiful! Don't let my mantis starve!