lifemalfunction
New member
So this is basically going to be an update on my Mantis, Chucky, as well as a basic review of www.Stomatopod.com where I ordered him.
I originally asked in my order comments for him to be shipped out on Thursday so I could receive him on my day off, Friday. I ordered him early Monday morning, so I thought this wouldn't be a problem. Within a few hours, I had confirmation of my order -- great! but then, I noticed I had a FedEx tracking number that was going to be delivered on Tuesday! Oh no! While a little frustrating, it wasn't a HUGE deal. I simply asked my boss if I could switch Friday for Tuesday... while reluctant, he obliged.
Monday evening is spent making sure my tank is going to be fully ready... checking parameters and all equipment is working fine. I've had the tank setup for nearly three months with nothing in it waiting for a mantis. Everything checks out, I'm ready!
Tuesday morning comes and FedEx is a bit late -- no big deal. The packaging is great! They have a custom box and it's clearly labeled "Fragile" and "This end up" "Handle With Care, Live Animal." Inside the box is a Styrofoam box that fits quite snugly in the cardboard shipping box. Once that's open, there's my beautiful creature -- double wrapped in plastic bags with plenty of water and air.
Acclimation went great, and Chucky immediately sought out shelter. The next 36 hours were conducted vigorously making a burrow, like he's had blueprints in his head for my exact tank his whole life. Incredible architects.
So with one semi-critical error on Stomotapod.com's behalf, my mantis is here and healthy for the most part... let's go on to the update with him.
I've had him nearly three weeks now, and he's ate all but one of my snails. He rarely comes out of his burrow to scope out the tank. I had to peel my snails off the glass and present them just outside his burrow, then he'd come out and give them a good thwacking. I thought maybe he'd also enjoy my Hermits... but he hasn't really touched them, either. I put them outside his burrow almost once a day, and he doesn't even give them a look, most of the time he tosses them out.
Worried his inactivity may be caused by him not be eating enough (I knew I had enough livestock to feed him for a while at least) I went to my poopy and expensive LFS and picked up a sheet of frozen krill for him. He LOVES these things!
I've been feeding him quite a few every day for the last three or four days, and I've noticed a slight rise in activity. I make him come out of his burrow and "tease" him with the krill by moving across my tank so he HAS to go a ways to get it... it's hit or miss whether he does or doesn't go for it.
Youtube video of him getting a krill
He seems healthy and active, and it's probably just his personality... but I can't help but feel a bit worried for his well-being.
Can anyone console me? Thank you.
I originally asked in my order comments for him to be shipped out on Thursday so I could receive him on my day off, Friday. I ordered him early Monday morning, so I thought this wouldn't be a problem. Within a few hours, I had confirmation of my order -- great! but then, I noticed I had a FedEx tracking number that was going to be delivered on Tuesday! Oh no! While a little frustrating, it wasn't a HUGE deal. I simply asked my boss if I could switch Friday for Tuesday... while reluctant, he obliged.
Monday evening is spent making sure my tank is going to be fully ready... checking parameters and all equipment is working fine. I've had the tank setup for nearly three months with nothing in it waiting for a mantis. Everything checks out, I'm ready!
Tuesday morning comes and FedEx is a bit late -- no big deal. The packaging is great! They have a custom box and it's clearly labeled "Fragile" and "This end up" "Handle With Care, Live Animal." Inside the box is a Styrofoam box that fits quite snugly in the cardboard shipping box. Once that's open, there's my beautiful creature -- double wrapped in plastic bags with plenty of water and air.
Acclimation went great, and Chucky immediately sought out shelter. The next 36 hours were conducted vigorously making a burrow, like he's had blueprints in his head for my exact tank his whole life. Incredible architects.
So with one semi-critical error on Stomotapod.com's behalf, my mantis is here and healthy for the most part... let's go on to the update with him.
I've had him nearly three weeks now, and he's ate all but one of my snails. He rarely comes out of his burrow to scope out the tank. I had to peel my snails off the glass and present them just outside his burrow, then he'd come out and give them a good thwacking. I thought maybe he'd also enjoy my Hermits... but he hasn't really touched them, either. I put them outside his burrow almost once a day, and he doesn't even give them a look, most of the time he tosses them out.
Worried his inactivity may be caused by him not be eating enough (I knew I had enough livestock to feed him for a while at least) I went to my poopy and expensive LFS and picked up a sheet of frozen krill for him. He LOVES these things!
I've been feeding him quite a few every day for the last three or four days, and I've noticed a slight rise in activity. I make him come out of his burrow and "tease" him with the krill by moving across my tank so he HAS to go a ways to get it... it's hit or miss whether he does or doesn't go for it.
Youtube video of him getting a krill
He seems healthy and active, and it's probably just his personality... but I can't help but feel a bit worried for his well-being.
Can anyone console me? Thank you.
It works pretty well.
but I think it's a fallen snails trap door 
