Odontodactylus havanensis

[mhazell]

Hi guys! I don't know if you Mantis buffs know about this, but there are Odontodactylus havanensis for sale at Sealifeinc.net. Ignore this if you already knew it. This is the place I got my wernnerae as a hitch hiker in LR. Ken is really great about customer service and I bet he would be willing to sell other species if he ran into them while diving.

http://sealifeinc.net/catalog/index.php?cPath=31

 

[mattyice]

most of us are aware but it was still useful for new mantis lovers to look for a different species then what is standard in LFS that have them

 

[Pea-brain]

Since new mantis lovers are mentioned, I would like to mention that these are not a beginnners mantis. They need very high oxeygen levels in the aquarium and aren't nearly as tolerant of not so great water parameters as other mantises. Dr. Roy has mentioned that they can be killed by stirring the sand bed. N wennerae is a much better mantis choice for beginnners and the guy at this web site may be willing to provide them. If not, Tampabaysaltwater.com has been a provider of mantises for quite a few lovers and offer reasonable prices, even if the shipping costs 4X the mantis at 50$ including shipping.

Dan

 

[Ab3]

I just bought one It will be here tomorow

 

[Ab3]

I dont have an air pump in the tank though, should I get one tomorow? And should I get the air stone thing?

 

[mattyice]

actually thanks for pointing that out dan, AB3 what i would do is try and get the best surface agitation you can with your water pump

 

[DanInSD]

A skimmer will serve double duty, reducing dissolved organics and increasing oxygenation. Get one.

 

[Pea-brain]

Yes, a skimmer would be a very good idea. This mantis would probably do best in a system with a skimming overflow or a protien skimmer, or both if possible. If neither of those are present then a powerhead pointed at the surface of the water would probably be sufficient.

Lets not try to blow D. Roy's experience out of proportion. Remember that Dr. Roy generally keeps mantises in the smallest containers possible with little to no water movement and water changes every 5 days unless he is experimenting on them. This may be different for more sensitive or larger species though. So he probably stirs the O. havenensis cups every once in a while so they won't die and may have accidently stirred the sand and the mantis dies. But that is just guessing.

Dan

 

[Ab3]

Ok i got him today and am now drip acclimating him. Its about 3" in length

 

[mattyice]

thats just about a full grown speciman, im waiting for my tank to get setup and cycle and i think im going to do a 20H SPS tank for him