Looking for a gigantea...

[Mikefallen13]

The title says it all...
I've been trying to find a S. Gigantea for a while now and figured I'd on ask here. I've asked all my local LFS's if they could order one for me and they have all quoted me a absolutely insane price (over $275 for a TAN gig) or said that they always die and it's a waste of money to order them. I know Live Aquaria get them rarely but by the time I get the in-stock notification they are usually sold out. I'm looking for a tan gig for the final showpiece for my 90 gal cube and give my clowns a nice new home. I also have cipro on hand and a QT tank ready to go, so can anybody help me find one? Any pointers would be great! Thanks!

 

[D-Nak]

Have you used the "email me when in stock" option on Live Aquaria? I received emails when the gigs were in stock, as recently as a couple of weeks ago.

I've heard of a few occasions where they were found at Petco. You can try to order one through them, as they have a sign that says you can do so. Just make sure to pick it up as soon as it arrives and ask that they not introduce them into their systems (since most Petcos don't have very good husbandry techniques).

Finally, you can go directly to wholesalers and ask to receive their in-stock lists. You can't buy directly from them, but when you see a gig on the list, you can ask your LFS to order it for you. Since they know you have ties to the wholesaler, they'll be more likely to place the order. You may have to work out a deal where you take it no matter the condition, unless it's a wrong item (haddoni and not gigantea). Sometimes the list will have prices on on them so you know what the LFS may be paying for it, which should give you some negotiating power.

 

[Mikefallen13]

Thanks for the suggestions! I never thought about emailing the wholesalers to see when gigs are in stock and to get an idea about pricing. I do have the LA email when in stock notification set up, but it always seems when I go to their website the gigs are already sold out so they must be a pretty popular item. I'll keep a lot this stuff in mind the next time I go to my LFS. Thanks for the help!!

 

[LisaE]

D-Nak, do you have some names of wholesellers that you would recommend?

 

[D-Nak]

D-Nak, do you have some names of wholesellers that you would recommend?

Sent you a PM.

 

[OrionN]

I recently got three Gigantea from a Petco here in Corpus Christi. I posted a thread here on RC.
I was just really lucky. The Petco here order salt water animal to arrive on Tuesday and Friday. If I have time I like to go by and take a look. Happen to see them when they come in as assorted carpets.

 

[asudavew]

http://www.petco.com/product/102926/Assorted-Carpet-Anemone.aspx

 

[D-Nak]

http://www.petco.com/product/102926/Assorted-Carpet-Anemone.aspx

The problem with Petco -- online and in store -- is that they don't know which Stichodactyla it is. You really need see it in person if you want to get it from Petco. They don't have WYSIWYG photos, and that sample photo looks to be a haddoni.

Actually, I've seen quite a few wholesaler lists and it's the same -- it just says Stichodactyla spp. Oftentimes the LFS doesn't know which they're getting until it arrives, and to make matters worse, a lot of LFS can't proper ID a haddoni versus a gigantea. In some cases it is difficult, but in a lot of cases it's pretty obvious which is which.

DD had one today and it sold before I could even look at the page. Anyone know who picked it up?

 

[olemiss reb]

DD had one today and it sold before I could even look at the page. Anyone know who picked it up?

I had it in my cart but it was not on my order when I completed the check out. Someone else was constanly refreshing the DD page and just a hair quicker then me on the checkout process. Ended up getting yesterdays green Haddoni as a consolation though.

 

[D-Nak]

I had it in my cart but it was not on my order when I completed the check out. Someone else was constanly refreshing the DD page and just a hair quicker then me on the checkout process. Ended up getting yesterdays green Haddoni as a consolation though.

I love how the instructions to purchase on DD basically tell people to squat on the site. It was definitely a nice one, and the price was very good, considering DD's typical prices (more expensive but with a guarantee I'd willingly pay extra for). The haddoni was a stunner as well. Nice pick up.

 

[ptr13]

+1 on liveaquaria, bought two recently with brown ones but at times you can score a different color, receive one brown and green yellow one. Good warranty on it too, small but very healthy, mouths are tight. They are very responsive, ready to feed and really affordable, usually 59 to 69 only plus shipping but you can always do a group buy locally.