Bright green mantis, free to good home, Philly area

[amonhen]

He's about 1.5" long, bright lime green. I should have him sequestered soon--my wife and I have gotten three out of this tank already. Her method, really, but we're getting pretty good at it.

I am in south NJ, Philadelphia area. I'd prefer not to ship, but I will if I get no local takers (you pay shipping.)

--Jeff

 

[dwarfatize]

Got a pic?

 

[RogueCorps]

Hi Jeff,

I'm not currently looking for one, but would your wife mind sharing her capture method? Anything that works is always helpful to others.

-Rogue

 

[amonhen]

Hi Jeff,

I'm not currently looking for one, but would your wife mind sharing her capture method? Anything that works is always helpful to others.

-Rogue

Rogue,

I got one out using a trap, made from a piece of 1" PVC and a comb-type trap door made from a 2 liter soda bottle. I've posted the method for making this (not my invention) before here:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=194631

If the link doesn't work, search my posts in the sponsors section (I posted it on the TBSW forum) and you'll find it. Although I got one with that trap within a week, I didn't get any others for over a month. Then my wife got interested.

We have gotten two out using bait on a string. Takes a bit of patience, but it works. It's actually my wife's method--she used to do some crabbing off of docks this way. She used a piece of dental floss with a needle to bait the line and put a lead fishing weight 3" from the bait. They seem to prefer scallop to shrimp. It sounds corny, but I swear that it also helps to slowly tap on the glass with something metal (I use my wedding ring) to make clicking sounds like the mantis. Other things that seem to encourage them to come out are feeding (chumming) the tank and using the bait to tease other crabs or shrimp in the tank. You may have to wait 15 minutes or so until he comes out, and he may not come out the first time. Once you see him, move the bait to where he came out. When he takes the bait, he won't eat it, he'll try and run with it. Play tug of war with him gently (you won't get him the first time he takes the bait). You are trying to get him comfortable enough with this game to hold on to the bait. Keep a long handled net in the tank as you are doing this. Eventually, he'll hold on to the bait and you can pull him out and quickly scoop the net under him. Alternatively, you can actually put the bait (on the line) in the net and let him walk in, though they may take longer. It will probably take more than one session to get him. It sounds tedious, but it's actually kinda fun--you'll see how smart they are (you are really playing mind games with each other) and it's a good excuse have a beer and spend some time watching your tank. And that's the fun part of the hobby anyway, isn't it?

--Jeff

 

[john76]

I will take it, sent pm