Finally!!! Live capture of 3.5" red mantis. Anyone looking for one?

[Splach]

Hey all,

After a year and a half of trying I have finally captured my last mantis. I don't know if you believe in all that but it was totally a "gift from god" kind of capture. I pulled out a bunch of rocks to clean off some hair algae and as I was putting them back in one of the old empty clamshells fell off into the bucket. I left it there and went about setting up the tank. As I went to pitch the shell I noticed that there was something inside, and sure enough it was my nemesis.

In any case I now have a healthy 3 - 3.5" red mantis. He should be a basher as he came in on some tampa bay rocks and he hits hard. I saw him hit one snail 2' across my tank. If anyone in the Seattle area is looking for one I would happily trade him off for just about anything. Especially cleaner crew bits since he has wiped mine out...

Casey

 

[Splach]

Oh yeah... During this tank cleaning I found 2 gorilla crabs I have been hunting FOREVER which are now in a "better place" and 2 RBTA anemones which had split off and disappeared (I assumed they died off) but both were living happily in the overflow.

WOOT.

By the way if you are ever trying to move a RBTA this worked really well. I put a suction cup on the tank underneath them and slowly worked it up. It was adhered to the glass and didnt cut the feet. I don't know how well it would work with a big one but it did a great job on these two.

 

[CrazyLionfish]

Can you post a picture of him?

 

[hmpit_ags2006]

Will you ship him? I would be interested if you will.

-G

 

[Splach]

Yeah,

I wouldn't mind shipping. Right now he is living in a cage in my sump and isn't too happy about it (he's snap crazy). I had some new corals arrive though which took precidence over getting a picture of him.

Casey

 

[CrazyLionfish]

Can you ship to me I posted first

Can't wait to see a pic of the "red mantis!"

 

[Splach]

Heh heh.... Yeah I suppose you did. Where are you guys located? What kind of setups do you have for him to live in (i.e. which guy has a better home for him)? I figure he has eaten about $100 worth of cleanup crew over the past year and a half so I should make sure he goes to a good home with so much invested into making him fat.

 

[CrazyLionfish]

Well hmpt make get this one, because my setup isn't quite ready yet. Depending on how long it would take you to ship etc.. I just have to move a few more things from my nanocube into my 40 gallon reef and then the 12 gallon nanocube with sponge filters, bioballs, and carbon will be a species only tank for the mantis. I'll have some small rock rubble for him so he can make his own little cave. And believe me, I'll keep him fat

But I have to see a picture first!!

 

[Splach]

PICTURES!!!

PICTURES!!!

Pictures!!!

It is hard to get a good measurement on him since he is always twisted or curved, but I am going to go with the original 3 - 3.5 if he was all stretched out. Prolly 2.75 - 3" most of the time.

Splach

 

[CrazyLionfish]

Still intrested in shipping? After I get an identification on him, I'll gladly take him.

Does he seem healthy and eating?

 

[Splach]

Eating? Heh... probably 100 blue legs / turbos in the past year and a 1/2. I gave him a bit of sand eel last night. Where are you located, and are you offering to pay the shipping (just to clarify).

Casey

 

[hmpit_ags2006]

I will pay shipping, did you want any extra money or just shipping cost? My zip is 77550 in Galveston Tx.

-G

 

[Splach]

Just shipping cost should be fine. Box, bit of foam, container, and postal costs. I would rather send him somewhere with a setup that is ready and I don't want the identification to come back with something CLF isn't interested in and loose this guy.

Sorry CLF, I'm going to go with Hmpit this time. If I get another out I will let you know.

Splach

 

[hmpit_ags2006]

Just let me know how much and when you want to ship.

Thanks,
-G

 

[CrazyLionfish]

Yes I was willing to pay for shipping. My tank has been setup for 2 years, I just have to take the stuff thats in it now, out. And the only reason I want the identification is so that I will know if he'll outgrow a 12 gallon, which if he would, he would obviosly outgrow a 10 gallon as well.

 

[hmpit_ags2006]

CLF I have a 12 gallon I have set up, I just have not updated my profile. It is a N. wennerae and will not out grow a 10g. I have decided to let you have him so no more complaining. Splach let ^ have him.
Maybe if you find another I will have dibs.
Thanks,
-G

 

[CrazyLionfish]

No hmpit, I insist. You can have him, I'm not as ready for him as you are. It might be a week before I can move everything else. So I insist, hmpit YOU CAN HAVE HIM!

Plus, I've never bought/traded with any one on reef central, so I'm still kind of weary to do so. I was just clerifying to Splach. Hmpit - the mantis is yours.

 

[sandlot13]

well if neither of them want it, i would be more than willing to grab him from ya...... i live in olympia, so you wouldnt even have to ship him if you were in the area, i could just take him off your hands. let me know! thanks!

 

[Myrphie]

So, what species is he? I had a client catch one identical to that in his tank a while back and he gave him to me. Had him for a few months before I moved and I guess the stress did him in.