How to ship a Stomatopod

[Hwarang]

I wanted to start this thread to inform ppl how to ship a mantis (or any other fish) for that matter.

The simplest way, I guess, would be to put it in a bag with some water, tie the bag up, put some insulation (foam peanuts, wadded up newspaper) around it, and ship it overnight.

I had another idea of using one of those small Glad Disposeable tupperwares. The reason is because when I got my mantis some of the air had escaped the bag and it was partially deflated, trapping the mantis between folds of plastic bag. I don't think this was the fault of the guy who shipped me the mantis, though. Fill partially w/ water, tape or rubberband it shut just for good measure, place in box, pack w/ insulation, ship it overnight.

Advantages:
1. Rigid sides
2. no corners in that container
3. ?

Downsides:
1. ?


Please add your own suggestions or comments etc.

 

[Jonny]

I think downsides would be the water splashing up everywhere on bumps, you understand? this would throw the mantis into to sides of the container cuaseing it stress or even death

 

[brekurboy1]

most distributors ship their mantis' with a little bit of coral rubble for the mantis to hang on to like a security blanket. I beleive I've read a post or something on the lurker's guide that Dr. Roy wrote about shipping mantis'. Something about putting the mantis into a tube and then the tube into a bag of water. Maybe somebody will be able to find that thread

 

[Hwarang]

Jonny, how is that different than having it slosh around in a bag?

I think brekurboy1's idea is right on! Throw a tube in there for it to hide in during the rough and tumble transport. I would worry about the tube squishing the mantis though!

 

[Jonny]

bag is differnt, I always go fishing for crayfish, and I keep them in a bucket on the way home, when ever we stop all you here is a loud noise from the water hitting the top of the bucket, but when you use bags theres no hard surface for the water to hit, is a round shape so it just rocks back and forth and dosent splash, all Im saying

 

[Hwarang]

understood, good point.

 

[Agu]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=374416

Agu