Best place to buy a mantis

Ithreeputt2 · #1 06/30/2007, 01:51 AM

Had one a long time ago....it came in on some live rock.....have not been able to find any since....any suggestions?

Pea-brain · #2 06/30/2007, 02:21 AM

N wennerae from tampabaysaltwater.com for 50$ including shipping. Good mantis, about 3" long, can be kept in a 5 gallon.

Dan

Ithreeputt2 · #3 06/30/2007, 02:23 AM

Thanks alot I will give them a try.

Steve

gmasaru · #4 06/30/2007, 02:50 PM

I just got a mantis from Sea Life Inc. Extermely pleased with the size, health, packaging, shipping. I could not ask for a better experience...check it out at:

http://sealifeinc.net/catalog/produc...roducts_id=216

Shipping was only $27 for overnight FedEx, which you can't beat especially if you order other things...same shipping.

I highly recommend this place.

Pea-brain · #5 06/30/2007, 03:44 PM

i wouldn't recommend a O havensis. They prefer tanks at lest 20 gals and are very sensitive to xygen levels. They have been kiled by just stirring the sand! N. wnnere are a personable mantis that are small, very hardy and easy to keep. O. havensis is from what I hear more personable, generally nicer, but are much more sensitive.

Dan

Springmo · #6 06/30/2007, 10:59 PM

I contacted Sea Life Inc and they have mantises besides O. Havanesis that they haven't identified, probably mostly N. Wennerae. You can order from them.

Thurge · #7 07/01/2007, 02:01 PM

Honestly I have never ordered a mantis online. I have gotten all but one from LFS's. The one I didn't get at the LFS I got from a fellow keeper. The more contact your LFS has with their wholesaler (I mean do they actually talk to them or just fax them an order sheet) the better the chances they will be able to get what you want. I have one LFS I deal with that will check his list the moment I let him know I am looking for something, and if its not on the list or its a few days old, he will call the wholesaler to see if they have something that isn't on the sheet, and or if it's still avalible.

Ithreeputt2 · #8 07/01/2007, 10:19 PM

Either way it is a beutiful mantis....what do you mean by sensitive to oxygen levels...to much to little? seems like a good price they are very cool creatures to watch. Thanks for all your help.

steve

Pea-brain · #9 07/01/2007, 10:29 PM

By sensitive to oxygen level I mean you need constant high levels of oxygen. Like constant water movement and stirring up the sand (limiting the amount of oxygen that can be absorbed into the water) has been known to kill them, and they are probably more sensitive to ammonia, nitrite, and other "volotile organic substances" as they are called. If you think you can handle it, go for it, but they can die more easily than an N. wennerae. But they do survive shipping, so they can't be THAT bad lol.

Dan