Some questions about mantis shrimps

I have been reading a lot recently about Mantis shrimps, but b4 I set up a tank and buy some I have a couple of questions.

What foods will they eat (and how often) ? (including frozen food avaible from normal supermarkets)

What is the latin name for the burrowing Mantis shrimps (I would like tosee them building thier own tunnels rather than putting a plastic tube in the rocks Also what kind of gravel / sand is suitable?

Does any1 know of any decent UK suppliers? Most of the accounts I have heard of are from the US.

Are there any publications available about mantis shrimps? And are there any other websites (apart from lurkers guide to stompapods.)

Thx, this is my first time posting in a newsgroup and i would appreciate any responses, whatever your exp

from normal supermarkets)

I feed mine whatever dies in my reef tank and occasionally a live snail. If nothing dies I will feed it coctail shrimp. They are not very picky and will devour pretty much anything you put in there.

plastic tube in the rocks Also what kind of gravel / sand is suitable?

Mine is a Gonodactylus chiragra I believe and it lives under the live rock. You shouldn't have to put a plastic tube in. I used a large colored gravel that came with the tank but live sand would be a more appropriate choice.

Search Yahoo. There is a ton of information. Type 'stomatopod' and you will get lots of matches. They are not 'stompapods' so if you type that you won't get many matches if any.

Can't they smash and break the tank with thier powerful .22 calibre force punch?

punch?

Yes, they can. But they don't typically set out with the intent of busting up their home. Sometimes one has been known to miss a fish and break the glass. The use of a thick acrylic also helps ease the mind.

I think that has happened once b4 in the history of keeping em. Thx Tom, ill check all of that out.