Orange spotted mantis: Destructive collection practices

I have been meaning to post this for awhile now, but haven't really had the time. I originally meant to post this with other commonly available mantis shrimps that may be better off left in the ocean for various reasons, but nothing really comes to mind other than g. ternatensis.

Anyways, I just wanted to start this thread to make people aware that many g. ternatensis are collected using destructive methods to live branching stony corals (they break the colonies and drop them into the sand to collect the mantis shrimp living in the middle). I think it would be better for coral reefs if we did not purchase a g. ternatensis and opted to buy another species. Collectors will not collect something they make no money from. This is probably a losing battle and I know there have been other threads stating this, but I believe if I start a thread stating it in the title, more people would learn of the fact before they purchased one. If I had known about this, I would of bought a g. smithii or o. havanensis instead.

If I come off as condescending or as a crazy conservationalist (Snorkel Bob comes to mind), I apologize. That is not and will never be my intent. Trying to play my part in conserving the hobby for the years to come! But, if you guys do have an orange spotted mantis and have questions, I will be more than happy to help you with what little I do know. Thanks for reading

 

Peter,

This is a species I've never had before. Can you provide links or is this just personal observation?

BTW.....if I were to discuss Snorkel Bob, I would have to ban myself. ;D

 

Sure thing. In terms of personal observation, I have never seen these species collected. This is a link from Dr. Caldwell's site. It is under the "Suitability for the Aquarium:" and "Home:" part. Roy Caldwell has on other forums tried to inform people about those collection practices, but usually it is too late and people have already bought them; that is what happened to me. :-/

Whoops forgot to post the link. Here it is! http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthro...traca/royslist/species.php?name=g_ternatensis

 

See. Now you see why I ask. I've kept many species of mantis for many years. However, my sample is limited. When Dr. Roy Caldwell who has been studying these puppies for this many years says something about a mantis, then I start paying attention. It would be cool if you could nab a link though. (Yes, I know he's on RC. We allow linking to other forums if it's informational).

 

Ah, I did not know we were allowed to link to other forums. Here are some threads stating that. Dr. Caldwell's user name is Gonodactylus in this forum. Oh I added the other link on my prior post. I forgot to add it the first time around.

Post #7: my baby gonodactylaceus ternatensis - Reef Central Online Community

Post #4: G. Ternatensis + Tank size - Reef Central Online Community