LFS selling mantis shrimp?????

[jtwilson]

:notsure: I thought that mantis shrimp were dangerious hitchhikers, correct me if i am wrong. This LFS really sucks so i either end up buying stuff off here or driving into Nashville to get stuff. I dont like spending my money in this store becuase it seems that they are just after your money, on special occasions i like to go in and make fun of them.

 

[ty_05_f]

some people have special tanks just for mantis.

 

[jtwilson]

why, what is so special about em? i still think that they would sell it to somebody with a reef tank who didnt know anybetter.

 

[ty_05_f]

Well some of them are actually pretty and "The force of the strike of a large Californian species approaches that of a 22 caliber bullet". (taken off of another website)

 

[shoreliner11]

Surprisingly enough they are actually very interesting creatures to watch. They are really not the creature their reputation makes of them. Sure they make take out you motile inverts sometimes but they (smasher mantis's) will generally leave fish alone. I wouldn't advise someone to put one in a reeftank but I've known a couple people to have reef tanks with mantis shrimp as well as fish. Keep em well fed and you odds of problems greatly diminish.
Aaron

 

[dek196]

My local LFS had one that was about four inches long, :scared: it was a site to see. They are really cool looking and would be great in a tank made just for them. To condemn a LFS just for offering them for sale is a bit harsh, maybe there is more to your experience. My 2 cents :thinking:

 

[ophiura]

People actually do look for them, esp peacock mantis shrimp which are extraodrinarily beautiful, IMO. Fascinating critters. I am somewhat surprised though - the fact that they are selling them means that they know people are looking for them and so by default means they are paying attention to trends in the hobby. That is actually a reassuring sign. Many LFS are still on the "bristleworms are bad" mantra.

 

[bovetek]

I patronize a very good reef LFS and they had the coolest looking lime green mantis. They were auctioning it off and the proceeds went to a local charity.. It was up to $200 last time I went.