Captured the Mantis Shrimp!! Now What

[WhiteCloud]

By a stroke of luck today, I finally got the Mantis Shrimp out of my tank after 2 months!

I was showing (okay bragging) about the tank to a friend of my wife's who was visiting. At that moment, I saw the Mantis sticking out of a hole in a small piece of base rock. I immediately ripped off my shirt (sorry Becky) asked my wife and her friend to hold the light up. I quickly put my arm in the tank...picked up the rock as fast as I could and threw it in my refugium. I then saw the mantis come out of the hole...I got him! Yes! This was after weeks of trying to catch him with a pest trap.

Anyway...I have one...he is about 2-2.5 inches long and maroon/reddish in color.

Any idea what I can do with him??

Steve

 

[dad300]

separate tank... trade him for credit?

on a side note... Where did you get your 90 gal that you are setting up.... My wife is going to get me one for Christmas but we are having trouble finding one in stock around here....

 

[WhiteCloud]

...Would someone really want him for credit....not the most desirable livestock ever. My wife is wanting me to cut down on the number of tanks I have in the house....so I don't think she would be too keen on having another tank...with a Mantis that could break a finger. She is a little creeped out by it.

I got my 90 Gallon 2 years ago from the Black Shark in Lewiston. It was a freshwater tank until recently. I think Penny at Aquacorals has great prices on tanks from what I have seen. She doesn't keep any in stock, but from what I remember...you can order them from her and pick them up in a week or so....and it looks like she is not too far away from you...she is located in Fairfield. Looks like she has them for $240...I really don't know how that compares with other places.

I upgraded from a 40 to the 90 gallon and LOVE it! Hmmm...perhaps in a few years...I could upgrade to a 220 Gallon!

Steve

 

[dad300]

yeah.... they really do. I'd post it on the BRS site and RC (other than here) Is it a smasher? or is a spearer... I love the look of them... If i had a tank set up at work I'd be up for it but.. I don't.
oh well.

 

[Biggie]

This story sounds like the gopher in Caddy Shack. To the unknowing you may have appeared slightly nuts ripping your shirt off and diving in your tank for the chance to catch a pest lol.

Sorry but the visual cracks me up. I guess its reefer madness cuz Ive done something similar trying to catch a nusiance lobster. Company aside you cant miss that one opportunity or it might take months again to sieze your Vermin.

I sat in the dark with a light in one hand a net in the other on a step stool perched for him to take my shrimp bait for days til I finally got him lol.. I think it was on day 13 my blood shot eyes finally coaxed him to the net.
I let out a loud sinister laugh at about 2:00 A.M. and the feeling of satisfaction that I was the top predator filled me. I finally got a good nights sleep after that.

 

[T1adler]

The one I caught a while back is in my qt at the moment by himself. That was after he lived in a big gulp cup for about 2 weeks. I think they are one tough critter. If you find a home for him, ask them if they want him to have a friend.

Tim

 

[jessiesgrrl]

In my experience, the cheapest place to get a new tank retail is Maine Pet in Maine Coastal Mall in Ellsworth- $299 for a 125 tank.


Laurie

 

[T1adler]

Laurie, Thanks for the tip. I think I'll be adding a 2nd tank at some point for all the not-reef-safe fish that always seem to be on my want next list.

Tim

 

[jessiesgrrl]

Well, it isn't a 90 gallon, but I do have a Sedona style 55 gallon that is currently in use as a FOWLR, with Caribsea sand that I have been thinking about selling. (I did actually Ebay it at one point, but the guy who came to pick it up decided on a 225 I had in the garage instead- go figure). It also has a canopy with smoked glass top, a Coralife 48 inch 20k florescent light, dual biowheel on it atm, but I would advocate putting a refugium back on it at some point just because I think it would help you keep bigger fish in it... I used to have a bamboo shark aand a sea skate and it did well with him.

This is the tank when it was a reef:

Make me any offer if you like it and decide to go used... I want to use the money to buy a dedicated Finnex tank for my zoanthids.


Laurie

 

[jessiesgrrl]

BTW, the PC light on it is gone, only the Coralife remains on it- I sold it to the guy from Ebay...

Laurie

 

[Hedonist]

Dawn at Sunrise Aquatics is usually in the market for a mantis.. you might try calling her... I am sure you will easily find a home for the mantis....

IME, LFS (esp the smaller ones) do not stock new, larger aquariums as it ties up too much money and floor space... any LFS can order a tank and get it to you by the next week...

Denise

 

[ME2003]

If you are going to the meeting and can not find a home for it.
I will take it. I have a small tank that would be perfect for it.

 

[jessiesgrrl]

Just out of curiosity- can they crack acrylic as well?

laurie

 

[WhiteCloud]

I already got a PM from someone who wanted him.

How do you transport them?? I would think plastic bags would not work.

I kept the small rock he was in when I plucked him out in the fuge...and I am hoping just to move him inside the rock.. I think this would cause the least problems. So whoever gets him will have a 2-3lbs base rock with him.

I am thinking perhaps a rubbermaid tub would be best for transport...they would not shatter if he got a little excited.

He is still doing well in the refugium. He is feasting on Whelks and Gorrilla Crabs that I keep finding in the Main tank and putting in the Refugium. Yeah...it is a death sentance for the crabs and whelks...but at least it is to continue the circle of life.

Steve

 

[smtarr]

I transported mine in one of those small plastic boxes people use for land hermit crabs and the like. He thumped on it the whole way home! Sue

 

[natybug]

A plastic thermos works very well, especially the widemouth ones you use for soup and such.

Good luck! Glad you are placing him instead of flushing him, I think it's better karma for you.

~D.