Hello Ray and welcome to the forum
Some interesting hobbies, and the freshwater shrimp is a new one to me. Years ago I use to keep various freshwater fish varieties and related, before I got into ACF's and ADCF's (African clawed frogs and dwarf, Xenopus and Hymenochirus). I even had luck breeding and raising the dwarf species which was and perhaps still is rather uncommon. I must admit though I do not miss having to prop up the floor for tanks, weekly water changes, and abundant husbandry tasks.
If your shrimp is anything like my past experience then mantids will be a good change of pace for you. Below is my typical getting started response. Have fun with the mantid hobby. Finding a mantid species you like and plunging in after reading the
care sheets is about the best way to get started.
Where to buy
To start with you can buy mantids from the
classified section (see the
feedback section about the sellers too). Of course there are many great sites to buy mantids and related goods from online such as
BugsInCyberspace,
MantisPlace,
PanTerra Pets, and
MantidKingdom are the most common and recommended for mantids themselves.
Beginner mantid species
All links below are to the species caresheets.
Ghosts (Phyllocrania paradoxa) are great and tame easily, and have a very exotic look but are a very hardy species - recommended for beginners too.
Chinese mantis (Tenodera sinensis) are a great option as they are a naturalized species in many areas so can be captured in the wild - I can collect over a hundred locally in a few weeks here. The Chinese mantis also grow large at about 4", which means they also are hungry pigs.
One of my favorites has to be
Carolina mantis (Stagmomantis carolina) as they are a native species here, and extra nymphs from a ooth can be released (again this is another species that can be found wild locally). They seem to have individual attitudes/traits, take to handling and various feeders well, etc. Likely though I have a soft spot for them as I got started in the hobby rescuing my first mantid from a winter freeze while at work. They do require a bit more care, but if you can mange humidity and feeding properly, I doubt you'll have problems with the species as it was my first.
Some great beginner mantid species though are
Flower mantis (Creobroter sp.),
Giant shield/hooded mantis (Rhombodera sp.),
African mantis (Sphodromantis lineola),
Budwing mantis (Parasphendale affinis or Parasphendale argrionina),
Chinese mantis (Tenodera sinensis),
Double shield mantids (Pnigomantis medioconstricta),
Ghost mantis (Phyllocrania paradoxa),
Giant Asian mantis (Hierodula membranacea), and
Griffin mantis (Polyspilota griffinii). Although some are not necessary listed as typical beginner species, they are all hardy, and seem to do fine even with beginners.
Have fun searching and getting started.
