Where to order a mantis shrimp??

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ScreaminGreen

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 13, 2009
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Pullman, WA
My boyfriend's recently gotten interested in mantis shrimp and wants to get one. Unfortunately, the pet stores around here are pretty limited. Anyone know of a reputable website to order a mantis shrimp from??

(also, what kind would be best for an eight gallon tank??)
 
That Pet Place is absolutely legit I've been to their store in Lancaster PA.. It's enormous. They rock.

You can also get the mantis at Liveaquaria.com It is run by DrFosterSmith also legit.
 
www.stomatopod.com they have tons. little pricey but there quality is amazing tells you how big it is, the picture you see is the one you get, it its a female or male, if it has all legs and raps and there are like 5 diff kinds on there site for sale.
 
Thanks guys, we were looking at both those sites just from some google searching but weren't sure about quality (since thatpetplace specifically doesn't guarantee it to survive transport). There's also a big difference in availability of species, but I think we've got a better idea of what to get and where to get it, so thanks for the help!
 
I suggest you do some proper research before you get one.

They are the besterest animals on the face of the Earth, but you have to know what you are getting into. You cannot just "want" one. You should ensure that you are fully prepared for it before you even consider asking about where you can purchase one.

Be willing to give it 20 minutes undivided attention a day. Although they are commonly thought of as hardy pets, they are not such easy animals to care for.

I suggest you visit Dr. Caldwell's website.

For an eight gallon, Gonodactylellus viridis will work well, but they are relatively seclusive.

Neogonodactylus wennerae will work.

Gonodactylaceus glabrous will work.

Everyone will disagree with me, but I think you will be able to keep a G. chiragra in such a tank.

Please, PLEASE know what you are doing before you get one out of intuitive drive.

You will need a reliable source of live food (a beach, an lfs) and you might even need to set up a separate tank to house live food. You must feed a varied diet and live food.

Good Luck! :D
 
micstarz;2899590; said:
I suggest you do some proper research before you get one.

I suggest you visit Dr. Caldwell's website.
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Yeah, I've gone through pretty much every informational site I could find on the first few pages of google searches, Dr. Caldwell's being a great constantly referenced source. Despite all this I still want a mantis shrimp :p

I could choose to house him in a 10 gallon glass, or 8 gallon acrylic, and for their reputation at being able to shatter glass, and since the dimensions are similar (except height), I figured the smaller tank would be just fine. I'm tentatively planning on lining the bottom of the tank and bottom sand covered edges with either an added layer of plastic or some scrap metal, but the more I read, it seems like the animals breaking through is less of a problem than it's hyped up to be.

micstarz;2899590; said:
You will need a reliable source of live food (a beach, an lfs) and you might even need to set up a separate tank to house live food. You must feed a varied diet and live food.
Click to expand...
Yes, unfortunately I live inland Washington, about 300 miles from the nearest beach, but we're going to be setting up a 10 gal breeder tank (also have some puffers that might enjoy live food) before I actually get the mantis shrimp. There's the ever available option of frozen fish/shrimp/bait, but it'd be nice to throw in some live food too, right?

Just trying to sort out some options for obtaining a mantis shrimp before I get the tank all setup and can't find a good one. (That stomatopod.com site is awesome!)

Thanks for all the helpful info once again guys!
 
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