Cue Jaws music...

[CincyGida]

My 1st half of The Package contained a baby Mantis - I got it out the first night while digging the rock out of the boxes. Then today I was just watching the tank for a few and out comes this thing, the Mama Mantis (?), almost two inches in length. It kinda freaked me out because I've never seen one before until I saw the baby.

The mama is now foraging shells and small rocks for its nest or something. I imagine I should trap it before the 2nd half of rock comes, no?

 

[Slicktrax]

If you want the mantis out, get it out while you don't have too much rock in the tank. I had success getting them out of my tank by removing the rock and squirting carbonated water in the hole that the mantis were hiding in. I could usually get them to exit on the first try. One particularly stubborn mantis would not budge, so I filled the hole with hot water and never saw him again.

 

[CincyGida]

Marvelous - you know, I think I have a blow-torch in storage...


hmmmm...



(just kidding) but I *do* here that these buggers cause a lot of havoc... Thanks for the tip - I know just which rock he/she resides...

 

[CincyGida]

Ok, my Mantis has redecorated the reef without my permission.

The main rock where he/she resides has two openings, one in the back and one in the front. I've been noticing him poking his head out of the front hole and eyeballing me then popping back in for awhile. I leave the area for a couple of hours and now I see where all of his foraging has gone - he plugged up the front hole with shells and rock!

He is making his demise *that* much more difficult. I feel that I have a battle on my hands!

 

[slave-of-rock]

if you catch it alive would you be willing to ship it ground to me? if so my zip is 60014 for shipping calculations thanks!
kyle kaz