Tank Buster! Shrimp?!

[Melody]

The things I stumble across...

This may be old news to marine fans, but I was fascinated when I heard that Mantis Shrimp can actually break aquarium glass. I've heard of tank-busters but I hadn't pictured Shrimp as one of them...

When mantis shrimp dig on the seafloor and run into an obstacle, they strike it to try to break it and remove the obstacle, says Caldwell. So, typically, when an animal starts digging in an aquarium corner, she encounters glass. This "usually leads to their whacking the glass, chipping it, and just causing a leak." A few mantis shrimp though, over the years, have shattered the aquariums. "This usually happens when they attack their reflection or when they try to hit a teasing finger waving at them through the glass." ~ USA Today 'Shrimp Spring Into Shattering Action' (http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/aprilholladay/2006-01-09-shrimp_x.htm)

Those things should be sold with a warning label!:laugh:

[Osprey]

Tee hee!
Believe me, they are. Mantis have the nickname 'thumb-splitter' for a reason. The scary thing is that they often hitch-hike on live rock... so you may end up with an unwanted one in your tank if you don't quarantine. They tend to hide, too; they like to burrow. Often the first sign someone has of a mantis is a funny clicking sound at night, and fish starting to disappear without any apparent cause.

Not all varieties are known for smashing glass, though. Many of the smaller varieties are relatively tank-safe, though they do require a specialist setup.

[Melody]

That is a hitchhiker I would definitly not want to get in my big beautiful marine tank, if I had one. How do you house them if you want them? The species pictured are beautifully coloured, so I can see them being popular, but then I guess most marine creatures are beautifully coloured.

[Osprey]

Depends on the species... some get almost two feet long, while others don't grow longer than five or six inches. Some are spearers (not so bad), and some are smashers. Wet web media is a good place to look for info. Rudy on Alberta Aquatica has kept quite a few, as well; he'd know the requirements for many of the individual species.
The spearers can be kept in a regulation tank (no fish); not sure about circulation needs, but I don't think they're particularly fond of current. Smashers need reinforced glass.

[Melody]

Sounds like some need bullet proof glass :err: . Thanks for the info - very interesting. I don't know that I'll ever do marine. There's no way I could keep only a few of these fascinating creatures, I'd want them all.

Best win a very big lottery first. :wideeyed:

[CACAdmin]

The Imax movie Deep Sea 3D featured a Mantis Shrimp among many other sea creatures.. It actually showed him using his claws to fight off an octopus who had designs on him for dinner. Excellent documentary on creatures of the deep.

Check out the website: http://www.imax.com/deepsea/. Info on the site states that this shrimp has "an impressive set of front claws, which can be flicked with such speed (it has been clocked at the speed of a 22 caliber bullet) and force that they can shatter not only the hard shells of prey, but also double safety glass".:wideeyed:

For info and video clips on the site about the Mantis Shrimp, check under Education and also under Creatures. You will not see him in action using his claws... to see that you have to see the movie.

I highly recommend the film. If you want to check out if it's playing in your city (or will be coming soon) go to http://www.imax.com

[AquaScaper]

Ok that settles it not only am I never going Scuba Diving but now having a SW set up is definitely OUT of the question:confused:

:err: Thanks for my future nightmares! I'll be sending you my shrink bill next month lol

[Melody]

An octopus on the face and you're good to go! :laugh:

[CACAdmin]

Ok that settles it not only am I never going Scuba Diving but now having a SW set up is definitely OUT of the question:confused:

:err: Thanks for my future nightmares! I'll be sending you my shrink bill next month lol

But that little shrimp is soooooo cute (a trifle difficult to contain in a tank, but still cute!... just the thing to add to your menagerie of pets.:yes: ) As for your nightmares, maybe you'd also like to go see the Imax film Sharks 3D :DevilGrin: That ought to put things in perspective for you. :BOLTS:

[Melody]

Que Jaws theme music...

[Osprey]

You guys want to see nerves of steel? Check this out:
http://albertaaquatica.com/index.php?showtopic=12285&hl=mantis
I think Colby's nuts when it comes to fish, sometimes... but then, I'm the one who absent-mindedly reached into his bin of live rock for a particular piece the other day-the piece that was right in front of the nose of his 3 ft. banded shark...:twitcy:

[Melody]

Yes, well, Steve Irwin was one of those too :no: . But I can certainly understand the absent-minded thing all too well! lol

[AquaScaper]

LOL Ya that'd be real fun....I'd need tranquilizers by the time the movie was over lol

[Squishy]

this is my little yellow mantis. He is what is known as a smasher.


http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh64/squishy2b/P5110337.jpg

[KnaveTO]

You can barely tell the back end from the front end on that guy... the only reason I can assume the right side is the front is it tilts up.

[CACAdmin]

He is cute. I'd love to hear more about how big he is, and what type of tank (special glass?) you keep him in, what his diet is, etc.

[Melody]

I think I'd call one Bambam if I had it :laugh: . Nice pic!

[Squishy]

He is cute. I'd love to hear more about how big he is, and what type of tank (special glass?) you keep him in, what his diet is, etc.
Thanks.
He/she is about 3 inchs long and about 1/2 an inch around. One of my buddies gave me this little nano tank to save this little mantis. I couldn't put him in my other tanks due to the tank mates. His diet is a peice of krill, or a pinch of myis. And if he is still hunger he will help himself/herself to a snail or a hermit crab.
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh64/squishy2b/P5140346.jpg

[Squishy]

I think I'd call one Bambam if I had it :laugh: . Nice pic!
thanks

[CACAdmin]

Thanks.
He/she is about 3 inchs long and about 1/2 an inch around. One of my buddies gave me this little nano tank to save this little mantis.
Sounds like he was a rescue... how did you manage to acquire him?