mantis or pistol shrimp, anyone keep them?

[Dupont666]

Looking at the sea creatures thread got me thinking that these would make interesting pets (one or the other not both in the same tank) as i cant get a cat or a dog since i live on the 2nd floor and there is no way they could get out, so was thinking about one of these.

Does anyone have one and if so how easy is it to look after? I have looked on the net and found some info, but there doesnt seem to be much out there.

For a mantis (basher variety) would i need an all perspex tank? is there anything i should look out for? How small a tank would they need? Im not looking to have one of those huge tanks when a nice smaller one will do.

I understand that they can be fed dead food, does it have to have live food at some point to keep the basher bit in use or can i fake the moment of a live animal?

so is there anyone out there that could fill me in on some info on how easy they are to keep, diet and tank specs as the info on specify sand depth, some rocks (not which ones) and light, but not heating, chemicals, etc.

Ta.

[m3jappa]

Have an ask on www.ultimatereef.net

iirc they are the type of creature which hides and comes out at night, they are/can be a major pest in a proper marine tank, if anything because they can alledgedly break the glass, i think they can also prey on small fish too.
You would have to set up the tank so as they/it could be easily viewed,maybe some sort of cave type setting.

I,ve been out of marines for years though so have an ask on said site.