Do I have a mantis?

[masonicman]

I hear a popping noise only at night. Is that a mantis or pistol shrimp. I have not seen my watman or my algea blenny in a long time. I do have a lot of CUC though.

If I had a mantis woud I have seen it by now. Tanks has been up for 2 years now and I always have heard the popping at night ever since.

 

[krazeekiddie]

I would stake the tank out at night!

 

[justinl]

mantids can be surprisingly secretive. some people dont detect them for years, especially in big tanks.

Yours occurs only at night so i wouldnt really suspect a mantis. Most are diurnal. Also, you mention that you still have CUC. all of it? a mantis would likely leave a pile of broken shells. look up some other causes of popping such as a pistol shrimp, heaters, fish (in various ways), shells hitting the glass, heaters turning on/off etc.

 

[Don-Coraleone]

drop a piece of cocktail shrimp in after the light go out and see if he comes out to get it.