i think i have a mantis

[bigd51015]

i have had my tank up for about 9 months and haven't added any new lr in 6 months. but lately at night i have been hearing little clicking nioses. but i was at my lfs a while ago and they have a mantis tank and i heard it click and the sound was exactly like what i heard in my aquarium except ALOT louder. i havent looked into my tank lately at night with a flashlight but do you think i have a mantis? how would i catch it or know for sure if it is a mantis? when would i most likely see it?

 

[pisces77]

sounds like you may have a small smasher. They are usually shy but a little poking around may reveal its home. Look for some smashed shells in a dug out area under shelter (a piece of LR or coral). Some will burrow right in to the LR. use tongs in your search, they don't call them thumbsplitters for nothin'. Good luck.

 

[bigd51015]

well i have a lot of lr thogh. should i take out all the rock and check it? or would i be ok with a trap or something? i dont have any fish now thought because i am traeting them in quarintine for ich so the fish arent a problem but i want to get the shrimp out beforae i put the fish in.
whats the best thing to do?

 

[pisces77]

Mantises can hide deep in the rock, so you may not see them even if you pick up each piece. Also, traps work ok if the trap is close to their burrow, but are less effective from a distance. I would move some of the LR and see if you find anything. If you can get the mantis narrowed down to 1 piece of LR, there are ways to get him out (club soda seems to irritate, while not injuring them).