How to catch a mantis?

[jerome736]

Hi guys,

I was in the middle of a rescape a few days ago and I was taking a break from moving rocks around when I saw a brown bulbous looking head sticking out of a rock. I was thinking to myself "hrmm there are theres one of the peppermint shrimps that I've tossed in the tank to help with the appies but have never seen again." I took a closer look from the side, and I think he was a mantis shrimp, didn't look like a pep at all, and he ducked back down. I haven't seen the guy since. Any shrimp I put in the tank I never see after day one, so I'm leaning towards there being the mantis in the tank. I also hear occasional clicking noises coming form the tank.

Whats the best trap that I can build to get this guy out? I've heard of the 2-liter bottle trap, but I was wondering someone could describe it to me or provide a diagram as to how it can be built. (or any other traps that people have been found to be effective). I don't have the time to sit up at night to spring a trap either.

Thanks!

 

[TrappedMetal]

This article may help:
Hunting stomatopods

If you manage to catch it please consider setting up a species tank for it or passing it on to a hobbyist.

 

[jerome736]

The plan is to dump in the fuge until I can think of something better , don't plan on killing it though.

 

[jerome736]

So I set my trap and baited it...unfortunately I was only able to catch clownfish :S Any ideas?

 

[jerome736]

Also, I believe the mantis to be larger than the smaller clown, so I'm not sure I can reduce the size of the entrance.

 

[Wildinside]

Pesky clown fish. They always foil my trapping attempts too! Are they scared of your net? if so I bet the mantis is not (or at least equally afraid of it as the next thing,) maybe try putting your net on the back half of the trap to make it foreboding to the fish and not the mantis? Could work

 

[jerome736]

Unfortunately my clowns are quit fearless. They try to eat the minor mole on the palm of my hand whenever the hand is in the tank, and they often swim into my hand.

 

[cobaltplasma]

I know it's not the intent, but the second picture is just...cute Best of luck catching your mantis.

 

[Recty]

One night of trapping usually isnt enough, you probably will need to do it for up to a couple weeks straight before the mantis goes in.

 

[hot_amigo]

Catching the Mantis

Catching the Mantis

I have done this a couple of times, but it is the best and only way that I have been able to effectively catch'em without killing everything.

1) You can try coaxing him out by squirting freash water into the hole that he is in and when he comes out catch him this way.

2) take the whole rock out and dunk the whole rock into fresh water until he swims out himself. Will sometimes take 10-15 min. As soon as it swims out, put him where you want him in SW so that it doesn't die and put your rock back.

#2 may not be a option for you if you have anything on that rock, but this is a pretty surefire way to get the critter to come out.

good luck!

 

[supateddy]

You might try putting the trap down on the substrate. It may not need to be right by the mantis' hideout.

 

[biomekanic]

Something to remember is that a lot of mantises are diurnal. Many, especially the smaller ones, just close the door for the night and call it a day.

IMO, you'd be better off putting the trap as close to the entrance as possible, or failing that, pull the rock and do the "Squirt the hole full of soda water/freshwater/what have you" trick.

 

[jerome736]

Got a picture of the suckah

Got a picture of the suckah

Can you find me?? (scroll down for spoilers, if you want to look for him find him then scroll )

 

[VacavilleFC3S]

awww i saw leave him

 

[TrappedMetal]

Yeah me too. He looks very content in his little hole. just throw him a few hermits every few days or stock up on cleanup crew and he probably wont touch your fish!

 

[Gtstricky]

If you can take that rock out just pour a little cold seltzer water in his hole and he will come running out.

 

[Dunkpv]

nice pics

 

[kdblove_99]

I cant catch mine either. i have the water bottle also and a hermit in it. I have it right by his hole but nothing yet

I have owned Mantis not too long ago so my intent is not to kill, i just want him out of my reef tank. I have a ncie fuge for him. I cannot tell whaqt species he is. from what i have seen of him he looks completely blue in color and maybe 3/4-1" long.

I have had the same rock for over 2 yrs and never added anything new so this guy was probably tiny when i first got him with the rock and 2+ yrs later a few months ago saw him dart across my tank and was like what the heck was that and after further investigating a mantis