Does a Mantis Shrimp Sound Different than a Pistol Shrimp?

[redwarrior77]

I have a new tank with 1/2 of my live rock from TBS in it. Every so often, I hear an ominous clicking sound. I'm already planning on getting more personal with my rock at my next water change with some gloves on, but I was wondering if there is a difference between the sounds a pistol shrimp makes versus a mantis shrimp? If it is a mantis shrimp, I plan on either taking him to the LFS or else giving him to someone who can give him a good home...I just want my fingers and fishies safe, too!

Thanks!

 

[Photo_John]

I have a pistol shrimp and it makes a loud snapping. I have not heard a mantis before but I would not put your hand in the tank until you know. Stitches are no fun.

 

[MantisHerder]

i have no idea what a pistol shrimp sounds like but a mantis sounds almost exactly like lightly tapping 2 chop-sticks together with the skinnier ends hitting eachother

also i heard somewhere that a pistol shrimps sounds like a popping noise like when you snap your fingers together

hope this helps

 

[Gonodactylus]

The sounds are quite similar, but with a sonograph you could probably tell them apart. The acoustic energy of both is largely derived from cavitation. However, in stomatopods the strike of the dactyl also produces a sound when it hits the target. However, the interval between the two is so short that you cannot distinguish the two.

Snapping shrimp are more likely to snap at night; neogonodactylids that come in LR are active from dawn to dusk and rarely strike at night - unless you have the room lights on.

Even a large (6 cm) Neogonodactylus that arrives in Tampa Bay LR is not going to do you much damage. If it smashes your finger, it is about like being hit by a B-B. If it stabs, the dactyl tip can penetrate to the bone, but the result is a couple of drops of blood and some discomfort. No stitches required (unless the tip breaks off and a doctor has to probe for it). The real danger is from infection, so it is wise to wear gloves.

Roy

 

[kiknchikn]

My pistol shrimp from the Caribbean often snaps 2 - 4 times in a row and mostly at night (although daytime snaps aren't all that uncommon). I've yet to see it in the tank since I added it as it hides all day in the rockwork.

Not sure if that helps, but I thought I'd throw it out there.

 

[Guygettnby]

i can always tell the difference between my pistol shrimps and my mantis shrimp. its hard to explain the sounds but they do sound a bit different.

 

[redwarrior77]

So what really is the danger of leaving the critter in there, if he is a mantis? Is it more of a danger to fish or corals?

 

[redwarrior77]

Another clue - whatever it is that's clicking likes to do it more when the lights are low than in full light, but it will still do it if I come close to the tank or if there's movement near the rock it's in. It's a very light "clicking" similar to shell tapping shell or the click of a light turning on or off. I wish I could see this critter and might take the rock out and bait for it in a bucket just to be sure.

If it's a mantis shrimp and I catch it, I'll post on here and ship it to one of you guys!

 

[saltwater4life1]

put me first in line lol
Btw i'm not sure if it will help but go to you tube and search for mantis shrimps then pistols and listen to the sounds they make on the videos.

 

[Gonodactylus]

From what you describe, I'm fairly confident that you have snapping shrimp. Stomatopods do not use sound as a warning. Pistol shrimp do.

Roy

 

[redwarrior77]

I'm not sure if I'm relieved or disappointed. In any case, either way, I'm getting another shipment of TBS liverock some time soon, so perhaps I'll have a critter on here to give away. This time, I'm definitely getting real gloves, though! No more being nervous picking up a rock!

 

[redwarrior77]

I ALMOST captured the creature to identify it. I had him cornered in a hole (he's pretty tiny, whatever he is!) and was trying to convince him to come out from the other side, he did come out, but ran into a nearby hole so quickly that I couldn't get a good look. In his new hole, I was unable to scare him out, even when brandishing an open paperclip in his face. He did "pop" several times, but I'm not sure if it was a warning pop from a pistol shrimp trying to defend himself from a crazed aquarium owner or a mantis shrimp desperately trying to break through rock to hide from said crazed owner. In any case, the tank is eerily silent now.

I also haven't seen my keyhole limpet snail all day, but I also haven't found an empty or cracked shell yet either, so I'm not ready to cry foul!

 

[redwarrior77]

One other clue to his identity...he seemed to be almost filter feeding from what little I could see of him, almost like he was casting tiny nets, but again I couldn't get a good look at him in the hole. Drat...so close to identifying the mystery guest!