Baby MAntis

[Wazzel]

I have an approximately 1/2" long mantis that I would like to remove from my tank. It is not hurting anyone now just want it gone befoe it gets big. Anyone have any suggestions on removing? If someone want it, you are more than welcome to have it if/when I can remove it. Also, since it is this small is there a chance I have a small population of Mantis? This is the only one I have seen, but I hear quite a bit of popping at night.

 

[AttackDonut]

I'll take it-

I'll take it-

Chances are, it came in on some live rock, unlikely they spawned in your tank.

Most local fish shops will let you borrow, or sell to you, Mantis Shrimp traps.

Short of tearing the tank down to catch it, I'd try the trap 1st.

If you *do* catch it, I'm on the east coast as far as shipping goes.

 

[Gonodactylus]

There has never been a documented case of mantis shrimp successfully making it through all larval stages and settling as juveniles in a self-contained aquarium. There are many species that live in reef rock that never get larger than 1 - 1.5 inches and it takes them two or three years to grow that large. Even if you have a juvenile Neogonodactylus wennerae (the most common hitch-hiker in the U.S), if it is .5 inches now, it will take it over a year to reach 1 inch and three years before it is much danger to anything in the tank except tiny amphipods, etc.

The popping you hear at night is not likely to be mantis shrimp. Monst smashers that live in live rock are diurnal and small ones under an inch cannot hit hard enough to make much of a click. More likely you have one or more pair of snapping shrimp.

Roy

 

[Wazzel]

Thanks Guys

I guess I will just keep an eye on it to see if it growing. Would hate to tear up my tank if I don't need to.

 

[Wazzel]

One more question. Will the snapping shrimp ever get big or come out wher they can be seen?

 

[Gonodactylus]

It depends on the species, but many associated with live rock spend their entire adult life living in rock or sponge cavities. There are species that live under rocks, under anemones, or that burrow in the bottom that get up to a couple of inches long and that do roam around at night, but I suspect you have some guys who will happily stay in their cavities.

Roy