Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

ChrisM · Contributing Member Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 125

Ok guys and girls.
Am building a tank stack, and was going to have a tall cupboard down the side, but am now planning a couple of mantis tanks (the girlfriend would like an orchid mantis, and another, unsure what yet). The room I have will be 230mm deep, 230mm wide, and as tall as needed. Was planning 2 at the dimensions above, and 460 tall. Is that to big? People have told me you can have a tank to big?!

Thanks

Chris

Jwonni · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:27 pm Post subject:

Probably too big for a nymph but when i got my african mantis she was 1 or 2 sheds from adult and went straight into a 30cm x 30cm x 30cm and she was fine

only reason an enclosure can be too big is it makes it less likely the mantis and food will cross paths but i used to watch her feed often i would chase/squirt a cricket up the wall to her

If i had not witnessed her feed in a while i would sometimes hand her a cricket via tweezers

to my knowledge this is the only reason too much space can be a problem

i think too allow them a bit more space it is worth the extra couple of minutes making sure they get the food

Rob Byatt · Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 12:20 am Post subject:

Will help on this tomorrow, not got time at the moment ! Bloody bugs.....
_________________
I only sell mantids that I have bred myself. I do not 'buy and sell'.

Keep species newly available in the UK in culture - send them to breeders. It's not about money !

Rob Byatt · Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 11:03 pm Post subject:

Is it tomorrow already Shocked

?

Okay, the dimensions you gave are more than adequate for an adult mantis, a very large adult mantis, but too big for singular nymphs.

The only other thing that would fill that space is a communal species such as Gongylus gongloides.

If you are really intebt on keeping one mantis in there, then go for a large nymph of an active species eg. Polyspilota sp. Tenodera sp.

That's all I can say really !

Rob.
_________________
I only sell mantids that I have bred myself. I do not 'buy and sell'.

Keep species newly available in the UK in culture - send them to breeders. It's not about money !

ChrisM · Contributing Member Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 125

Hi Rob,
Posted this a while ago. Tank now has a house mate- is on bugnation. Posted pics and you pointed out he was about to molt.
For everyone else, heres the pics...

If you look at the 'suckers' you can gauge the size of him and the tank.
Decided it is quite big for him. Think when he goes to mantis heaven, i'll split the tank into two.

Rob Byatt · Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 11:59 am Post subject:

Ah hah ! I remember the picture and that the mantis was about to moult !

Well at least you are sorted now. Sorry, my memory is just a little messed up at the moment Confused

Rob.
_________________
I only sell mantids that I have bred myself. I do not 'buy and sell'.

Keep species newly available in the UK in culture - send them to breeders. It's not about money !

ChrisM · Contributing Member Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 125

Thats cool dude. My memory has been shot for the past 23yrs...

Rob Byatt · Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 8:04 pm Post subject: