There Can I Get Mantis Shrimp?

[Hobbit]

Anyone know of somewhere i can get a smithii? I've been checking ebay, i cant find anywhere else. Not even my lfs. I live in AMERICA btw

 

[SkiFletch]

If you can find a place to get Smithii's from reliably, let me know, I've yet to find any place. You can always get an N. Wennerae suitable for a 12g from tampabaysaltwater.com. $50 shipped to your door.

 

[Hobbit]

thanks a lot. Ebay is selling a kind thats small, cant remember the name

 

[SkiFletch]

Those two currently on ebay are N. Osteradii and are suitable for a 12g. Very similar to N. Wennerae just different colorations. The Osteradii are more speckled and not quite as bright green initially, although both species tend to turn green under aquarium specrum after a few moults. Osteradii have a purple Meral Spot while the Wennerae have a white one

 

[Hobbit]

what would you suggest of the two?

 

[SkiFletch]

As far as behavior and temperment goes, there's no difference between Wennerae and Osteradii. If color matters to you, you might want to take a gamble on a wennerae from TBSW, if not, go for the green one on ebay

 

[Ehudd]

if u lived in aus i would sell you mine. I got heaps. G smithii.
They are everywhere here.

 

[Hobbit]

WOw!! Is there anyway you can ship? Im 15, so i wouldnt understand. lol. How much would shipping be if possible?

 

[mcdanielnc89]

lol. shipping from UK to the US is a fortune. LOOOOOOOL..

 

[Hobbit]

oh it is? How much? I really want one of those. about how much would the shipping cost?

 

[SkiFletch]

Actually, he lives in australia

Shipping livestock internationally is illegal without the appropriate permits. suffice it to say, jumping through all the hoops to get it done would be not anywhere near worth it for a single mantis shrimp.

 

[Hobbit]

oh. that ucks, i want one of those smithiis

 

[Hobbit]

wait, what did you mean by 'taking a gamble' from TBSW? Is something fishy w/ that website, or what?

 

[SkiFletch]

No, not at all, they're a very very reputable company. There is a remote possibility that you'll get a pseudosquilla cilliata instead of an N wennerae as P cilliata are also found in the carribean (although wennerae are MUCH more common in florida/keys). Either can do just fine in your tank though