Fluval Spec zebra mantis tank

[Polscot]

so i bought the zebra mantis from picies and i wanted to set up a 1year temp home, since they are slow growers he will be fine in this Fluval Spec that i bought today, heres a few photos of the start up

i used 3" sand bed since hes only 1" right now, 1 mangrove for filtration and a red macro algae, maybe ill add more eventually

http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/zz229/jasonpolscot/IMG_0916.jpg?t=1293133751
climatizin
http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/zz229/jasonpolscot/IMG_0917.jpg?t=1293133766
his new home
http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/zz229/jasonpolscot/IMG_0919.jpg?t=1293133827
outta the box
http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/zz229/jasonpolscot/IMG_0920.jpg?t=1293133840
Real simple set up, dont wanna draw away from his beauty
http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/zz229/jasonpolscot/IMG_0922.jpg?t=1293133898

http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/zz229/jasonpolscot/IMG_0924.jpg?t=1293133922

[paddyob]

Zebras get HUUUGE.

I saw one at Big Als one time. It must have been 10-12" and it was agressive. Looked like a fricken lobster.

My buddy and I were getting closer to have a good look and he wacked the glass so lightning fast we both jumped backwards. We thought the glass was going to explode he hit it so hard.

None the less.... get thick glass or acrylic for that puppy as he grows.

Nice specimen.

[Polscot]

added a ball of cheato....since i dont want live rock i figure the mangrove cheato and red macro will filter the crap outta this tank, few more shots he has been in for a few hours, hasnt started to dig yet

http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/zz229/jasonpolscot/IMG_0925.jpg?t=1293140692

http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/zz229/jasonpolscot/IMG_0926.jpg?t=1293140710
http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/zz229/jasonpolscot/IMG_0927.jpg?t=1293140721
http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/zz229/jasonpolscot/IMG_0928.jpg?t=1293140735
http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/zz229/jasonpolscot/IMG_0929.jpg?t=1293140779

http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/zz229/jasonpolscot/IMG_0930.jpg?t=1293140800

http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/zz229/jasonpolscot/IMG_0932.jpg?t=1293140815

[paddyob]

Did you say its only an 1" long?

How big is the tank?

The pics make the mantis look huge!

On a side note... always wondered... do Mantis swim like other shrimp or just crawl around? I have never seen one swimming.

Maybe you can post a feeding video or something :lol:

[Polscot]

yup only 1" its a 2 gallon tank the sand bed i have in it is 3" so that kinda gives a size.....yah they swim for sure, only to avoid predators or sometimes to catch food, you usually wont see them swimming freely around a tank lol