N. wennerae vs G. Smithii Questions

[TMPoften]

I am debating on getting either the N. Wennerae or the G. Smithii. I can pick one of the N. Wennerae up easily from a dealer in Tampa but I was curious if they are interactive and fun to watch. If I could get feed back on both of them about how much time they spend out of their homes and what kind of personalities they have, maybe pictures that would be great. You can post it here or send me an email.

Kzinti3@yahoo.com

They are going to be housed in a 6gallon jbj nano cube with corals.

Thanks for your help in advance

-Curt

 

[justinl]

G. smithii are generally regarded to be a better choice, but N. wennerae is much more popular because it's so readily available. If you see a smithii i say grab it (I love mine), but if not, just go for an N. wennerae. They're a great mantis too.

I won't comment much on my own G. smithii except that in a 60gal with much bigger fish than himself, he is a bit too nervous to come out. I will move him to an 8gal biocube very soon.

 

[TMPoften]

I know where I can find one of the N. Wennerae but where would I be able to locate a G. Smithii, every place I have seen selling mantis shrimp groups all of them as "peacock mantis". Did you just continually check stores and get lucky with yours?

 

[justinl]

yup. the only way to be sure about what you're getting from an lfs is to go see yourself if you know how to ID. If you don't, take a camera and we can ID it for ya.

I didn't actually find mine myself. I just posted in my local aquarium forums letting people know I was looking for a mantis (be general... most don't know how to ID mantids and just won't respond). they responded and i ended up with a G. smithii by pure chance. It's all luck of the draw. It's also good to pick a few lfs and ask if they can order in mantids for you.

If you order online, the only source that is species consistent is tampabaysaltwater (N wennerae). Order anywhere else, you're gambling with the odds stacked heavily against you.

 

[Pea-brain]

I'd try special ordering a lfs. If they are good then all the info they need is scientifi name, common name, identifying characteristics, and location they are from. I'm doing that right now for both G. smithii and R. komaii

 

[justinl]

R. komaii! wow high demands eh? lol good luck with that!

the problem Ive encountered with lfs is that they are a) honest in that they can't order mantids or can't order species specific or b) dishonest (WORSE) and will tell you yeah and then try to sell you a bloody pistol shrimp or something.

 

[Pea-brain]

lol I would have to say it is a long shot, but at least if the owner of the LFS uses my description then I will get a Raoulserenea. Not too many stomatopods have 2 eyspots on their backs. In fact I think there are only five known ones And I'm guessing that not all of the five ones are sandy/tan colored with blue spots. I'm more worried about my G. smithii order. smithii doesn't have a very conspicuos difference.

 

[TMPoften]

excuse my ignorance but what does "lfs" mean?

The other thing, my dad is going to be over seas around where the Odontodactylus cultrifer's are found. If I can get ahold of one of those do you think I should pick it up? And what size tank would I have to use to keep it?

 

[justinl]

lfs=local fish store.

Even if you did find O cultrifer, do you really think you'd be allowed to bring it over seas? if so, then by all means, yes bring it home. minimum 20gal.

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthro...ostraca/royslist/species.php?name=o_cultrifer

 

[TMPoften]

Yea I have a 55 gallon I would put them in, if he could get multiple ones do you think others would be interested in buying them?

 

[justinl]

yes i can guarantee youd get interested buyers. Not me, but i know for SURE you will get customers for those. read the sticky on shipping them if you do find them

 

[gemini aquarius(t)]

i have a N. Wennerae and he is way more active than i imagined. he is almost always poking his eyes out or wondering around the tank i am really glad i got him!

 

[G.SMITHII]

just to kinda chime in, but my smitii has been getting more and more exciting.

when i originally got the lil guy, hey was relativley timid, smashing an occasional hermit, but relying mainly on food from a stoner on a stick.

since i have had him (about 5 months) he has molted 4 times.

his most recent molt concluded about a week ago. since then Bane has become quite the little monster.

since last saturday he has claimed; 3 astrea snails, a small turbo, 2 emerald crabs, 5 hermits and some other type of snail.

Hes way more active, and a special characteristic of g.smithiis is their "Threat" pose.

if you stick your face up to the glass he will rush you, spread his arms and bob all around like "what."

also, he leaves my firefish and damsel well alone (thus far) so all and all my lil system rules, and it all has to due with Bane, G.SMITHII exstrodanaire.

 

[Pea-brain]

I don't know if he is still doing this, but I believe Dr. Roys offered one of any mantis in his lab for a O. cultrifer. If you did get O. cultrifer you might be able to send him one and get a G. smithii. I know someone already cashed in on that deal, but maybe he wants another one? And if you don't want it you should send me 2 cultrifer. I need a male and female R. komaii or G. smithii