Hi, I'm new to reef aquariums and am in the process of setting up a 37 gallon tank. I've gotten live sand and half of the live rocks into the tank from Tampa Bay Saltwater. Occasionally I hear clicking noise during the day. There's plenty of life going on and the tank has just about cycled when I noticed one morning that one of the mussels (crab or oyster? - one of the shell types) was opened, empty and the shell was broken. Is this a sure sign of a mantis shrimp?
Anyways after reading much about the mantis shrimp on the web, I decided to do a fresh water dip on my rocks (six pieces) since I'm just starting the tank and can easily remove the rocks. I dipped each of the rocks in fresh water for a minute. I did get one half inch mantis shrimp, but I know he can't be the culprit breaking open a 2.5" - 3" shell. Since I've dipped the rocks in fresh water, I haven't heard any clicking noise the last 2 days. What is the possibility that it died within one of the pieces of rocks? How long before they die in fresh water? How often do they eat? Esp. after downing a decent size meal? How long can they live out of the water? Another method I was told was to leave the rocks out of water for 30 minutes and the mantis shrimp would come out. Has anyone tried this with success?
Thanks for any info.....
Anyways after reading much about the mantis shrimp on the web, I decided to do a fresh water dip on my rocks (six pieces) since I'm just starting the tank and can easily remove the rocks. I dipped each of the rocks in fresh water for a minute. I did get one half inch mantis shrimp, but I know he can't be the culprit breaking open a 2.5" - 3" shell. Since I've dipped the rocks in fresh water, I haven't heard any clicking noise the last 2 days. What is the possibility that it died within one of the pieces of rocks? How long before they die in fresh water? How often do they eat? Esp. after downing a decent size meal? How long can they live out of the water? Another method I was told was to leave the rocks out of water for 30 minutes and the mantis shrimp would come out. Has anyone tried this with success?
Thanks for any info.....
....I will try a mantis trap next time I hear any popping noise or see any signs of a mantis shrimp. 
