How do you get rid of these little things?

[mommyzhere]

OK I'm pretty sure I have a teeny tiny mantis shrimp hiding in one of my live rocks. I'm told they sometimes hitch a ride in live rocks. I'm also told they can be pretty destructive. This one is about an inch and a half long, and shy. As soon as you see him, you don't even have time to say "Look!" before he pops his head back into his hiding place. How can I get him out of there before he starts causing damage? I read that you can rinse the rock he's in in freshwater, but I A: don't want to ruin the rock and B: he moves from one rock to another so I don't ever know where he'll pop out of next. And I'm not about to destroy all my rocks. At this very moment, I saw him come out from under a dead coral, so he's between the dead-coral and the sand. HELP! If any of you want him, and you tell me a successful way of catching him, you can have him for free (plus the cost of shipping).

 

[hoopty]

If you can't get the rock out to shake it try using a mantis trap.

 

[mommyzhere]

OK, and a "mantis trap" is.....?

 

[Bugs825]

Try to find out where he is popping out the most. This would be his burrow. These little buggers can have more than 2 openings to their burrow. Then try to target feed him every few days with some silverside or shrimp to get him to understand that you = food.

The trap.....take an empty bottle of water and cut the top off so that it looks like a funnel. insert the funnel into the topless bottle with the mouth inside. If you cut it correctly, it should "snap" in and fit tightly. Place the trap near the area where you see him the most. Then try to tease him with the food and drop it in the trap. Give it a day and see if you get him. I use a bamboo skewer to feed. Just stab the food and its on the end of the stick.

Let me know if you want to get rid of him. I will gladly pay for shipping. They ship very well.

Good luck
Nathan

 

[mommyzhere]

Thanks I'll give it a try!