I just ordered some Ghost mantids (FINALLY!!!) and I have a question about their communal nature. I know that they are a communal species, but is it really safe to have them in the same enclosure? I am getting 3 males, and 5 females. I know to separate the males from the females, but can I safely keep each of their own *** together? Or is it better that I just keep them separated?
Ghost mantis communalism
- Thread starter ausar318
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codex7
Member
In my experience, cannibalism is always a possibility. If you're absolutely not willing to lose any, then you're better off keeping them separate. I've certainly seen females eat males, and I've also seen a male eat another male in an all male enclosure. Of course, chances of this happening are very slim if you give them enough space and food, but in my opinion, the possibility is always there. Still, this species is one of the few you can even consider keeping in the same enclosure, and having a bunch together is cool to see! Just some things to keep in mind.
MantisGirl13
Well-known member
There is definitely a risk of cannibalism, but they do fine communally in a larger tank when they are well fed. I keep ghosts, and I always kept them communally in a 20 gal tank, and separated them to eat. My adults are in separate cages.
- MantisGirl13
- MantisGirl13
MantisGirl13
Well-known member
You can keep around 10 L1-L3, 7 L4-L5, 5 L6+ and adults are best kept separate. It really all depends on the setup. If you have a lot of hiding room, you can keep them all more safely.
- MantisGirl13
- MantisGirl13
PowerHobo
Well-known member
I had a pretty small container, but less than 15 minutes with 2 in a 32oz container (which was just supposed to be temporary until I got home), and they tried to kill each other. One of them lost a leg for the effort. Personally, I just plan to keep them like any other mantids; better safe than sorry, and all that.
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MantisGirl13
Well-known member
How well fed were they?
I guess it really depends on how well fed they are and how aggressive they are. If you hand feed all the time they are more likely to be docile and less aggressive. I hand fed my ghosts mostly.
- MantisGirl13
I guess it really depends on how well fed they are and how aggressive they are. If you hand feed all the time they are more likely to be docile and less aggressive. I hand fed my ghosts mostly.
- MantisGirl13
