Just found a HUGE Mantis

[lotus02]

As the title states this guy is huge. To give you an idea the size it had draged my 5" clam that is attached to a half shell across the tank and up onto the rocks about 3" up.
Now I need tested and proven methods to get it out ,with out destroying my tank. Please remember my tank is a 180 and it lives under a rock pile in the center of the tank. I'm going to try an inverted pop bottle tonight baited with a chunk of raw scallop.

If you have a better method please post them.

 

[flfirefighter13]

With one that big you may have luck by baiting him with shrimp into net, leave some shrimp tied in a net near his home for a few days, they seem to learn quick so im sure he will begin to expect it and trust it. by tieing it in the net you ensure he will have to be there for a few minutes to get it out. then just scoop him out when hes in the net. The soda bottle would be easier, but this is just another method Ive had luck with for some quick little critters. On a side note if you dont have a home for him I could probally keep him happy for you, Id pay shipping no problem.

 

[Ms. K]

I'd really like to have him as well, if you don't send it to flfirefighter13. I want another for my classroom.

 

[lotus02]

No luck with the trap last night.
BUT as I sat and watched it investigate the trap OMG I see I have TWO that live together. I watched them till 2am. One came completely out on the other side of the rock as I watched it in horror it has to be 6" long or more. These things are huge not the little guys I've seen everyone else catch. I don't even think they will have to go completely into the 2L bottle trap to get the bait. Now I'm seriously thinking of pulling the rock out to get them. Since my rock is in a W shape ,I will get 2 pieces of acrylic wedge the in each end of the rock pile then start pulling rock. They live in the bottom rock of corse. My Question is they are so big why did it take me this long to discover them. Why do I have to have a pair.

 

[flfirefighter13]

Couldnt tell you why you have a pair, but I can tell you Id be willing to buy both How long has it been since you last bought rock? Maybe try cutting the bottom out of one bottle and adding it to another bottle to make a super long mantis trap, Or a large peice of pVC with an inverted soda bottle top, may be more cave like and lure them in easier to the bait

 

[lotus02]

Haven't put any new rock in the tank. We set up a 130 4 years ago after a year we moved everything into the current 180.
We always heard a snapping sound since day one , always thought it to be a pistol shrimp, boy were we WRONG.
My fish don't seem to be bothered by them as the fish swim in and out of the rock pile where they live. Unless the fish are just stupid , because I have lost several fish in the past 6 months they just disappeared.

 

[mattyice]

could you give us any identifying marks on them that you saw? this is very weird, two very large smashers living together (the reason i sw smashers is because i guarentee that if they were spearers your fish would be gone), what type of rock was it that you purchased?

 

[lotus02]

They both are the same dark red/brown with white strip on the back. They move so fast it's hard to get a good look at the markings, I do know for fact they are a very dark reddish brown almost black. I also know they live together as at one point they were side by side last night.
The live rock is Fuji.
I am seriously thinking of tearing that section of the rock apart tonight to get them out. Using the acrylic method as I stated above. I just want them out!

 

[flfirefighter13]

Sounds like they spent a few years lulling the fish into a false since of security Good luck with your hunt, Do you think your going to ship them or do you have a local wanting them?

 

[lotus02]

There is a local reefer that is interested. I do have an acrylic tank to hold them a few days. Might be in the best interest of the mantises to go to a local. He thinks because they are so big and live in one rock they may be a pair.
Is this not common? I know I have never seen a mantis this size come out of a reef tank , but having two side by side in the same rock pile seems to be some sort of fluke am I right.

 

[mattyice]

if you cant find a local i will take them off your hands for a few bucks plus shipping

 

[gprro1]

have you been loseing your cleaneing crew?, I imagine they would detsroy a ton of crabs and snails.

 

[lotus02]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8531006#post8531006 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gprro1
have you been loseing your cleaneing crew?, I imagine they would detsroy a ton of crabs and snails.

Yes I have very few snail and crabs left. If I look in their lair I can see the empty shells.

 

[lotus02]

Well trap failed again last night.
I swear it comes out looks at the trap and laughs at me!
I'm going to have to turn to more drastic measures (tear out rocks)

:mad2:

 

[Limbo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8534462#post8534462 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lotus02
Well trap failed again last night.
I swear it comes out looks at the trap and laughs at me!
I'm going to have to turn to more drastic measures (tear out rocks)

:mad2:

Watch your fingers when you go grabbing rocks.

 

[mattyice]

yes actually try and find a dive shop and buy yourself some chain mail gloves lol

 

[Ms. K]

I would guess that they are a mated pair, and they must tolerate each other even when not mating becuase they've lived together for 4 years without killing each other. That's really awesome! I'm jealous!

 

[lotus02]

Set the trap again last night. I sat and watched for it I swear for 4 hours and nothing. Got up to get a drink I was only gone a few minutes ,came back and trap is empty. So who was watching who?? These guys are smart!
Given the size of these things I'm still reluctant to stick my hands in around their rock.

 

[lotus02]

Know what freaks me out the most is how many times I've put my fingers in that area ,digging around blindly to retrieve a frag that some how made it into the cave.:eek2:

 

[blackheart]

just let them live in there man its a dog eat dog world and only the strong survive soon you will have a mantis farm and you will tend to your flock by feeding them thousandsof dollars in clams and fish and snails, crabs, i dont need to go on.

But the real question to ask yourself is. Are they adults.........yes Are they a mated pair........yes could you have fifty more in there without knowing.........you know it. Are they that big of a problem?? well just some things to think about.

I think you sould keep playing chess with them it sounds like you guys are both having fun.

however there is another trap for spiny shelled creatures. Adn your wife has everything you need to make this trap. Although it is not that safe for the animal. well tell me if you want to know the inhuman answer to this prob.