Florida Mantis Shrimp

Sustainably Harvested

Excellent Bio filtration

Fast and Fresh Delivery

TAMPA BAY SALTWATER Live Critter

Florida mantis shrimp arrive as live rock hitchhikers from the TBS lease site.

$22.00

Neopgonodactylus Wennerae

Florida mantis shrimp make great species only conversation tanks. Looking for an unusual pet that is on the move building and hunting? This smasher arrives ready to build a burrow, only thing needed is a species-specific tank with live rock and sand.

America's #1 Live Sand & Live Rock for Reef Aquariums

TBS is the oldest working aquaculture Live Rock Farm. The site is located in the nutrient rich water off Tarpon Springs known as the Sponge Captial of the world. Harvested with care, our Living Rock and Live Sand always travel submerged to preserve life forms vital for your aquarium's health.

TBS Mantis Rocks!

Sustainable Ocean Product

Species only system

Small tank inhabitant

Not Reef Safe

Harvested by a Hand with gloves on

Nicknamed “Thumb Splitters”

Prefer live foods

The Neopgonodactylus Wennerae max out at 3″ and come in greens and reds. They will build burrows under live rock in the sand. Mantis will accept most meaty foods, preferably live crabs. They will eventually whittle down a clean-up crew. Stable parameters and good water quality will keep them alive for many years.

Consider adding some Live Sand for your mantis. It is a course mixture of sand, shell fragments, broken shells, and coral skeletons. Our sand creates a visually pleasing and authentic ocean bottom.

Consider adding some Nano Base Live Rock or Rubble rock for your mantis to build with. Our rock is full of microorganisms beneficial to your tank and extremely attractive too!

There is Nothing like Ocean Aquacultured Live Rock

Sustainably Collected Live Sand

We harvest TBS live sand by hand on the ocean bottom. This is a tedious job but well worth the effort. Our Live Sand is so full of goodies it is harvested amongst flounders. Yes, flounders are very interested in sand collection. TBS Live Sand contains beneficial live bacteria. Many organisms not visible are found living within its layers. These microscopic and megascopic organisms are vital components for cycling a new tank. Natural bacteria help with denitrification, water clarity, ammonia break down, disposal of detritus and uneaten foods. These unseen life forms are of extreme importance for a healthy aquarium.

Sustainably Collected Live Rock

TBS Live Rocks are a visual feast of shapes, sizes, and colors. Bahamian, Philippine, Trinidad, Florida quarried, vintage Pukani and reef friendly Walt Smith are found on the lease site. Walt Smith Reef Rock is the predominate foundation rock chosen for its sustainability, for its ability to attract and host life, and for its easily stackable unique shapes.

Ocean aquacultured Live Rock provides a natural looking environment for your inhabitants and an unseen health benefit for your system. Tiny holes and crevasses provide a refuge for microscopic critters like pods, filter feeders and other invertebrates to multiply, and move water through the rock. Water slowly pulsing through tiny tunnels inside rock aids the denitrifying process.

We plant and harvest TBS live rock by hand. From receiving to shipping, each piece is handled with care. Rocks are selected on the ocean bottom and carefully loaded in mesh baskets where they are hauled up to the boat. They are inspected and placed in seawater filled barrels for the boat ride in. The fully submerged rock arrives at the warehouse and is placed in large holding systems filled with natural sea water. Moderate lighting is provided to maintain life forms until it is then shipped within 3-14 days. This extra care preserves a plethora of life forms that make ocean live rock vastly different from other live rock.

Just the Facts Jack about Hand Harvested Live Rock and Live Sand

Flow– Consider best case water flow scenarios in your system; rock placement, wavemakers, wave boxes and smart pumps. Move detritus from crevasses by turkey basting live rock weekly.
Life Support Required– TBS Live Rock will arrive submerged in seawater, carefully bagged, and held in an insulated box. It is necessary to have a functioning aquarium upon arrival for live sand & live rock.
No Curing- Ocean aquacultured rock shipped submerged should not be cured, it is neither sick nor dying. Curing will kill ocean harvested premium rock that is shipped submerged.
Basic care – Is provided by a clean-up crew of critters. Hermits, snails, starfish, cucumbers and shrimps will scavenge through it, scuttle across it and burrow in. Critters help aerate the sand and move detritus out from rocks. Maintain quality water parameters and perform regular water changes.
Possibilities- Due to the multitude of varying life forms on our live rock, you may encounter a pest or predator. Consult our extensive Hitchhiker section for information. Keep in mind, not all life can be sustained in an aquarium. Certain critters that depend upon an ocean environment may not survive. We do our best to eliminate pest, predators and potential demise.
The Sea has Seasons- Live rock goes through seasons as the Gulf cools in the winter and warms in the summer. Macro algae, sponges, corallines and various lifeforms wax and wane according to seasonal temperatures.
Weather Dependent- We make every attempt to collect and ship weekly, but sometimes mother nature says No. Your patience is appreciated.
Shipper Abuse or Customer Neglect- In the event of box abuse caused by shipping carriers. Contact us immediately. We are not responsible for orders left at the destination air cargo hub or forgotten outside your door.

Examples of the Live Critters Found in our Live Sand & Live Rock

Lancelet

Friendly Freebie

Micro Starfish

Friendly Freebie

Decorator Crab

Friendly Freebie

How Shipping Works

Most orders ship within 1 week. That’s fast & fresh delivery!

Sea

01

First, we venture out on the high seas aboard the workboat, Orion, for harvesting the underwater farm. There we seek the highest quality sand & rock for our customers. Onboard, rock and sand are transported fully submerged to the warehouse holding system. Inventory moves quickly, so harvesting is frequent. We do our best to keep all products in stock and ready to move. Keep in mind, that offshore diving is a weather dependent activity where our safety is priority.

After placing an order, we will reach out via email to schedule the date for air cargo delivery or bumpy road arrival. This is the time to confirm your aquarium is functioning and it is ready to provide life support. Good communication is vital for both of us, email provides a detailed record so we’re on the same page before the anchor drops. We aren’t Amazon, but we are fast.

Schedule

02 Air

03

Air cargo is our favorite way to move submerged live rock across the country. It is fast, safe and cost effective. We take great pride in delivering the freshest products. In most cases, we package orders the SAME day you receive it. After tendering your boxes at Tampa International Airport, you will receive an Airway Tracking number to follow your shipment. Air cargo is paid directly to the airline at pickup with an ID and a credit card.

Small orders ship flat rate UPS. They arrive at your door a day after they are packed. Specific products that fit this box size are categorized as “Treasure Chests”. You will receive tracking information for your order via email. Flat rate shipping is charged at checkout. Please be home to receive these perishable items. Shipping is weather dependent.

Land

04 Delivery

05

WooHoo, it is the BIG day! Are you ready to get your hands wet? Is your aquarium prepared to sustain life? Put on some clean gloves and crack open the box. Prepare yourself for the smell of fresh ocean harvested products handled and packaged with great care. It is an honor to provide natural products sustainably harvested to benefit the health of your marine system.

Sustainably Harvested

Excellent Bio filtration

Fast and Fresh Delivery

TAMPA BAY SALTWATER Live Critter