where can I buy a mantis shrimp

[asian arowana]

I would like to get a mantis shrimp but I am not sure which kind to buy or where to buy.

 

[Deadeye]

How big is the tank you want to keep it in?
Do you want a smasher or spearer?
Any intentions to keep it with other living things?
They are fairly common in any sw fish store or online. Peacock is the most widespread, but wennerae is good if you want something smaller.

 

[asian arowana]

1. a 20 gallon or a 30 gallon
2.which are cheaper to keep? I think they are equally cool
3.no I just want it by it's self

 

[Deadeye]

For the size, I’d go with the peacock.
Feeding costs will be fairly similar for both, the spearer types are more specialized for fish or soft bodied inverts while the smashers are specialized for crabs and snails.

 

[Flaring Afro]

I had a mantis that I got for free from Petco. I saw it in the tank, pointed it out and told them what it would do to the fish, and then asked for it.

Normally I wouldn't want something from Petco in my tanks, but since it was a single specimen tank there wasn't any risk.

 

[RedRaven]

If you are struggling to find someone stocking mantis shrimp find out when your local store gets their live rock shipment in, it's not uncommon for a couple of them to hitchhike their way into stores and sometimes even customers aquariums along with purchases of rock.