Cleaner shrimp disappearing?????

[BRIAN2156]

I have a 46 gallon bo front tank with about 50 pounds of live rock in it and about 30 corals. The tank is doing great and I have about $4,400 invested. I set the tank up in June this year. I have a yellow tang and a yellow eye tang, cardinal and a percula clown. They are all doing great as well. I have about 50 mixed snails, serpant star, and about 15 crabs.

Recently I tried to add some cleaner shrimp. I have added 6 of them and they disappear after a day or so. I do not hear any snapping that I read about in other forums and I have never seen anything wierd. I also had a purple dotty back and that also disappeared. The tank is full and it is difficult to move things.

Does this sound like a Mantis> If so what should I do? Will it hurt to keep it in there so I do not have to disturb my coral? Will it hurt mu tangs?

Thanks for any advise,

Brian

 

[Uriel]

If it is a Mantis, you aren't going to hear any loud *smacks* if the prey is soft bodied.
Shrimp are soft-shelled, if I am correct? The fish definately is.

My Mantis (Yes, I keep one intentionally, several more soon.) killed a Green Chromis that I introduced in a 'can they live together' experiment, creating no sound whatsoever when he struck. When he strikes something hard, you will definately hear it (My cats jump when they hear The Baron hit something, and he's only 2" long.

-Hope that helps.

-Ron

 

[BRIAN2156]

I put a trap in the tank with krill. No bites except the crabs and snails???????????????????

 

[pisces77]

there are two basic types of mantises, spearers and smashers. Spearers would not be as audible, and are more apt to attack fish. If you had a smasher, you'd know. My friend had a hitchhiker mantis that he battled with for weeks. He kringes in my house (I have 3 smasher mantis tanks, so there is a lot of clicking). I can hear my 4" G. ternatensis two rooms away when he attacks a snail.

If you do see a mantis, let me know, I could use a spearer in the collection. I will help you catch it, then take it off your hands (assuming you don't want it.)

 

[BRIAN2156]

I have put a trap out for three nights and the snails and crabs are the only bites. Any recommendations on how I can catch or see it at night. Flash light scares everything.

What part of CT are you from?

Thanks, Brian

 

[pisces77]

Mystic, so it's not too far. Slow the feeding down in your tank a little, so there is no leftovers. This will cause the mantis to have to get a little more bold. I would check through your live rock pieces. Could also be a gorilla crab or other hitcher.

 

[BRIAN2156]

Thanks. I will keep you posted. I am only 5 min. from Prov. and about 55 min from Mystic. We go there often with the kids. Thanks, Brian

 

[BRIAN2156]

no bites. I am thinking there is nothing in there?????