ABCs of catching a mantis shrimp

[pedalpower]

Well, last night while my face was planted on the glass looking at a coral, I notice something strange steering back at me from the rock. And sure enough it was a mantis shrimp. Yes, there were previous signs of unexplainable fish and snails missing, holes getting enlarged through porous rock, and even the clicking noise. But, in my defense that clicking noise sounds exactly like my pistol shrimps scraping the eggcrate (rock supports). And most of all my I blame my wife for not supporting me with my theories about the missing livestock.

Anyway, the trap that looks easy enough to make. Though I'm not clear on whether you need to glue the cut piece back onto the base? Whether the trap should remain in there 24/7 or only at night? Should the trap be placed on the sand or buried? Should I keep the moonlights off while I'm trying to catch it?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Gonodactylus]

Mantis shrimp that arrive in live rock - mostly gonodactyloids - are almost without exception diurnal or at least crepuscular, so it makes no sense to leave a trap in only during the night. Usually people have the best luck putting the trap in at night and catching the stomatopod early in the morning when the animal first comes out to forage and while there still isn't much activiity in the room.

When I make such devices, I usually avoid glue and simply sew the inverted neck in place. Many glues are toxic and/or must cure. I sewn water bottle can be used immediately.

Roy

 

[ecugman]

If you do catch it and don't plan on keeping it please let me know...I would love to have one.

Thanks!

 

[pedalpower]

Thanks the trap has been set.

ecugman I really have not decided what to do with it once I catch it. Maybe I'll setup in my son's kindergarten class.

 

[pedalpower]

As the drama continue ... Ok, I finally figured out where all the clicking was coming from, the mantis shrimp has been boring about 1/4" hole (at least that's the size of the exit hole) through a solid piece of rock. I'm going to try to get a picture of it peering out. His eyes seem to bulge out especially after a fish (or should I say a potential meal) has passed by.

So, here are my new question: the hole is about 4" above the sand should I stick the trap near the hole but on the sand? Should I try to put the trap right on the hole? Should I start start increasing it's appetite for krill by sticking some in the hole?

Thanks!!

 

[CrewCab]

You could also just take the rock out that its in and squirt some seltzer water in its hole with a turkey baster. It most likely will come right out.

 

[pedalpower]

It's a pretty large rock in a hard to reach location. So the question is once I start lifting the rock will the mantis typically try to exit the rock as fast as possible? Or hang in there forever?

 

[CrewCab]

The rock mine was in wieghed 32lbs, I made sure he was in the rock before I lifted it out and also had my wife keep a lookout to make sure he didnt come out as I lfted the rock. Once it was out I saw it right in his hole and used the seltzer water.

Although it worked for me this time, the first time trying to get him out was not a success. The only thing I did different was have someone watch to make sure he was still in the rock.

 

[pedalpower]

The mantis has been captured!! Thanks everyone for the invalueable advice. I removed the rock, poured in a little seltzer, and out popped the mantis

 

[dirtyreefer]

Hmmm, I might have to do that with ALL my rocks then, I don't know where mine hides but I wanna get him out!!

 

[pedalpower]

If you can hone in on the clicking you might have a better chance of finding the hole. Those eyes are also a dead give away to their location.

good luck!

 

[turbo2oh]

I have been trying to track down the source of my clicking and have no idea how people can do it. I'm assuming he must be in a rock facing the back of the tank(against a wall) because I NEVER have seen him. I 've tried the bottle trap trick and I ever catch is my pep. shrimp and cleanup crew. Any ideas?

I even had an octopus come as a hitchiker and have been waiting on trying to get him out until he had time to eat the mantis. So far he has been unsuccessful or has been having too much fun eating all my hermits instead.

 

[pedalpower]

I wish I could help you. All I can tell you is the hole was about 3/8" and that some of the fish were also looking at the hole. I have the shrimp in another tank now and I have yet to tempt it out of it's new rock. I should test a few foods out and see what lures it out. I wonder if a stethascope would help.