Mantis Shrimp Problem

[piranha_trader]

I guess the live rock I picked up had a couple of evil hitchers aboard.


These things are insidious. They wait for the coast is clear and they dart around the rocks like very fast snakes.

I have a mantis shrimp problem that I would like to rid myself of. Especially in light of the fact that Im expecting some sexy shrimp in the next two days.


Do any of you have a good method for getting rid of these things? Im about to do the seltzer water dip again but Id prefer not to if there was a safer way that wont killof other things within the rock that might be beneficial


Any advice or anecdotes are appreciated.

 

[chris348]

I had the same problem only recently. I literally found one sitting on the uppermost LR, so quickly lifted it out. Manged to get rid of it that way.

Ski Fletch gave me some good advice by way of using a trap, similar to a small coke bottle with bait inside. Best to do it before you get those sexy shrimps as the trap can also catch them.

Ski will be along shortly no doubt, along with the other guys who know their stuff

 

[SkiFletch]

Either the trap chris mentioned, or using a high-concentrate magnesium dip (5cups of mag chloride or mag sulphate dissolved per gallon of freshwater) are the best ways. The bottle trap just slice the lid and bottom off a 2-liter bottle. Then cut the neck off the lid and invert the lid in the bottom so that you essentially have a plastic bowl with a hole in it. Attach the lid to the bottom with plastic wire ties or something similar, add some shrimp for bait, and put the trap near the mantis' home. They go in the trap to get the food and can't get back out. for more clearer instructions, just do a google search on "bottle fish trap" and you'll prolly find what I'm talking about

 

[piranha_trader]

I had the same problem only recently. I literally found one sitting on the uppermost LR, so quickly lifted it out. Manged to get rid of it that way.

Ski Fletch gave me some good advice by way of using a trap, similar to a small coke bottle with bait inside. Best to do it before you get those sexy shrimps as the trap can also catch them.

Ski will be along shortly no doubt, along with the other guys who know their stuff

wow it let you just grab him? mine seem way to smart..its like they have 6th sense or something.

my tank is a nano so Im not sure if they bottle trick will work just because the trap will be too large. plus these shrimp are babies...like in the 1/2 inch range.

Ski...in the event that Im not able to get these guys out, do they still pose a danger to the sexy shrimp?

 

[SkiFletch]

Ski...in the event that Im not able to get these guys out, do they still pose a danger to the sexy shrimp?

Oh yeah, they'd kill the sexy shrimp for sure.

 

[piranha_trader]

Ski...in the event that Im not able to get these guys out, do they still pose a danger to the sexy shrimp?

Oh yeah, they'd kill the sexy shrimp for sure.

Cr*p

 

[littleme1969]

RO cold dip generally gets them out of the live rock.
Ive had a small one in my tank now for nearly a year its just over an 1" long and bright green in colour. I also have sexy shrimp in my tank that have never been touched by the mantis. I guess it depends on the type of mantis and the size. But generally they will go for anything thats small enough to catch.

 

[piranha_trader]

RO cold dip generally gets them out of the live rock.
Ive had a small one in my tank now for nearly a year its just over an 1" long and bright green in colour. I also have sexy shrimp in my tank that have never been touched by the mantis. I guess it depends on the type of mantis and the size. But generally they will go for anything thats small enough to catch.

Interesting...thanks for the input.

Are your s-shrimp about an inch long as well? What do you think the mantis is subsiding on?

 

[littleme1969]

Yes my mantis is about an inch. They are supper quick little critters and as my tank has many pods and crustations from a few mm to about half a cm in size he does Ok just chasing down them. He also eats small clams that he finds from time to time. Ive also seen him dash out at feeding time and catch a bit of frozen food too. Hes really quite a cute little critter and seems to be fully grown, so I will just leave him be, as catching the site of his little head poking out of the rock work checking me out is really quite cute and fun to watch. I must admit that I have not seem him since the tank contents where moved into the 100g, but I know hes still there as I can here him cracking his lunch from time to time.

 

[Deroplatys]

My gawd u guys think these are pests?!
I reckon thier great lol
I owuld love to keep some