Mantis Problem

[James B]

well one of my cleaner shrimps has gone missing and i thought heh he will molt and come back no problem but i have just heard a horrible clicking noise from the tank and there is what looks like some chiseled rock debris on the tank floor so what can I do bearing in mind there is livestock in my tank. thanks in advance guys james.

 

[Pheonix]

the clickin could also be a pistol shrimp, you need to find evidence of your shrimps demise really before you can formulate a plan, how much live rock you have in there?

 

[James B]

10 kg live rock

 

[Pheonix]

ah not so bad! if it is a nasty then you should be able to isolate where it is reasonably, ie which rock its in! once you know that all you have to do is take the piece of rock out ya tank and prepare a very salty water mix in a bucket, place the live rock in the mix and all the critters on the rock will evac the rock sharpish you should see the mantis in the bucket then, have a bucket of good water too had aswell, take your rock out, rinse that in the good water briefly and that can go back into your main tank, then put the mantis in the good water bucket, you dont want to kill it if you can help it, take the mantis or pistol to your lfs and if your really lucky they may even buy it off you

 

[SkiFletch]

Too bad you're in england, else I'd buy it off ya

 

[James B]

if i was in the US i'd give it to ya think i have found the rock its in funnily enough the same one a hauled some sort of hairy/gorilla crab out of

 

[Dragonscales]

Why not set up a tank especially for it? They are pretty interesting fellas.

 

[demonmagus]

B)-->QUOTE(James B @ Jan 17 2007, 10:26 AM) [snapback]1449086[/snapback]
if i was in the US i'd give it to ya think i have found the rock its in funnily enough the same one a hauled some sort of hairy/gorilla crab out of [/quote]


where are you? lol

also, have you seen the shrimp yet (just want to know for ID purposes)

 

[James B]

not seen him yet but spend all yesturday night going click click click shrimy has still not returned it could be that what I thought was a molt was in fact one half of shrimpy i he has not returned by tomorrow night i shal investigate further and remove the rock i think the mystery killer is hiding in

 

[Pheonix]

good luck!! remember to wear some thick gloves when you handling that rock!! a mantis shrimp will have no problem taking the top of your finger off if it see's fit!

 

[nmonks]

Mantis shrimps don't make clicking noises. They make no noises at all (in my experience). If you're hearing clicking noises, and you've ruled out the fish (e.g. clownfish make clicking noises) then it's either a pistol shrimp or a snapping shrimp. These both belong the same family and the distinction between the two is vague. I've kept coldwater snapping shrimps in their own aquarium and they're lovely animals. Active, hardy, and noisy! Mine seemed to be fairly sociable, too.

Mantis shrimps are even more fun. The only possible problem with a mantis shrimp is having it in the wrong tank. Beyond that, they're wonderful animals. Virtually indestructible, smart, highly entertaining. In my opinion, a hundred times more enjoyable than any coral or reef fish!

Cheers, Neale

 

[James B]

hmmm maybe if i can find what ever it is I should keep it then trouble is i really dont have the money or space for another tank still no shrimpy though I think he has gone for good now though