Re That fella who wanted a mixed tank

[enlightenment]

http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/spide...vert-tank.html

Lol, remember that thread. Ooh, I do love it when people online get all of a fluster

Seriously though, in principle, the OP has a good idea.

Now, from what I read, it appears he would be angling for something that combined active, with good to look at, while keeping the risks as low as possible, but without going all boring....


Okay, well, let us say he had a suitable sized tank.

I think he could have the following in there



1) A colony of Wandering Violin Mantids

2) A pair of Rhino Beetles

3) An adult millipede

4) Adult assasin bugs

Now, let me explain. Violin Mantids can live in a colony, if there is sufficient food. They prefer flying insects, and are very fragile, therefore, they would not attempt to treat any of the other three as prey, as long as food was a plenty.

The Rhino Beetle would not pray on any of the three, and with a female there, it would most likely spend it's time humping, and eating any given fruit. It is also too large to be pray to any of the others.

The millipede would be too large for the Mantis and Assasin Bugs, and would therefore be safe, while it is likely the beetles would leave it be, with enough space.

AFAIK, they can all live at temps similar, not exact, to one another.

With plenty of crickets, locusts, mealworms, and fruit in there, I think that combo might work, with some thought given to space and substrate.

Dunno..

Thoughts?

[lynneowen1]

eeeeeeeeek no!

[joeyboy]

I would expect the assassin beetle to attack the millipedes legs and probably the rhino beetles too. There is also a slight possibility a violin mantis would go for an assassin bug,not likely but there's a small risk(it would probably lose though lol).

[GRB]

Just because things shouldn't eat each other, doesn't mean they won't stress each other.

You could technically house juvenile tarantulas and large millipedes together because the millipedes are too big to be prey. I dont see people rushing out to try that however.

I don't really see the "need". I question the motivation - it almost seems like deciding to paint a room then walking into B&Q and asking for "Just some mixed paints, I dont care what colours".

Surely the point in keeping inverts is because of an interest in specific types? It seems like the emphasis is more on having a mixed tank for the sake of it, rather than for interest in keeping specific animals, or replicating a natural environment.

[enlightenment]

Originally Posted by lynneowen1

eeeeeeeeek no!

Remember, I am not endorsing it, I am merely trying to think of something that catered for his wish, while not getting off the wall silly!

[TheSpiderShop]

Rhino beetles would bull doze the lot down in a day.

[enlightenment]

Originally Posted by GRB

Just because things shouldn't eat each other, doesn't mean they won't stress each other.

You could technically house juvenile tarantulas and large millipedes together because the millipedes are too big to be prey. I dont see people rushing out to try that however.

I don't really see the "need". I question the motivation - it almost seems like deciding to paint a room then walking into B&Q and asking for "Just some mixed paints, I dont care what colours".

Surely the point in keeping inverts is because of an interest in specific types? It seems like the emphasis is more on having a mixed tank for the sake of it, rather than for interest in keeping specific animals, or replicating a natural environment.

Like I say, I don't want one.

Other fella did.

And in my last post, I said I would have a think, come back to him, so this thread is assuming he really wanted to do that, how could he achieve the desired effect?

[enlightenment]

Originally Posted by joeyboy

I would expect the assassin beetle to attack the millipedes legs and probably the rhino beetles too. There is also a slight possibility a violin mantis would go for an assassin bug,not likely but there's a small risk(it would probably lose though lol).

Even with a plethora of much easier prey?

In nature, a predator will usually go for that which is smaller than it, and easier to kill.

*shrugs*

[enlightenment]

Originally Posted by TheSpiderShop

Rhino beetles would bull doze the lot down in a day.

But it is not a predator, therefore,no motive?

Nor would it be able to reach the colony of mantids?

Just a thought...

[LoveForLizards]

It does seem to me like he wants the mixed tank for the sake of it. Or hes a tight git and doesn't want to go out and get another tank