Octopus or Peacock Mantis?

Shovelman

Member
so with my 34 gallon acrylic tank coming to a start up I need to keep in mind what I will be housing.

Either add to the collection of mantis' by ordering a large peacock mantis shrimp

OR

cross my fingers and hope we can get in one of the dwarf species of octos, like a merc or similar species.

I know the care requirements of both and am fully prepared to meet them, but there are just a few things I need to keep in mind,

A. with both, not other tank mates.

B. Most dwarf octos are extremely reclusive/nocturnal
-also have to ugly the setup with octo-proofing gear.

C. with either, photosynthetic corals are out because both animals are extremely sensitive to light (I can go into detail if needed), but if i go with the mantis ill be doing NPS corals

D. Octos live shorter life spans and with college around the corner, it might be a nice short lived pet since i doubt my parents want to deal with an octo (horrible thought, but true. Dont know of many who will be willing to adopt an octo)

E. Same goes above with the mantis from above, except they live longer so either one of you folks would have to take him, or hopefully, my parental units will grow attached and care while im gone.

There is more too it, yes, but just the big thoughts in mind right now. So what do you think? Octo or Mantis?
 
I love mimic octos but think price tags on all octos suck because of their lifespan. Mantis r cool and dont have to worry about escapeing
 
I personally don't think octopuses should be kept in captivity, but I wouldn't blame anyone for wanting one. Mantis shrimp are very cool.
 
twas my thought first off, though both were very doable as research was thorough. Anyways looks like I'll be ordering a large peacock mantis soon enough!
 
Definitely +1 on the shrimp! Octos are amazing... But as much as I love them, I'm not sure that they are suited to captivity - far to intelligent and beautiful a creature for that. Peacock mantis are gorgeous, so you should have a lot of fun!
 
Alright, well tank is now up/filled! The 40g breeder has been separated via eggcrate and a wall of rock rubble (prevent sand spilling over), and the temperature is right at 75 degrees! Salinity, 1.026, my favorite number ;) and I think its time to move some of the live rock from my 10g G. ternatensis tank over to the sump, and move her as well! Im moving established rock into a base rock filled tank so my mantis will be fine, but it will then seed the rest of the tank as well in time.
 
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