Mantis bait?

[nam2212]

I recently discovered a 2 inch Mantis in my 30G the other day. It has been up and running for 6 months and I had no idea that he was in there. After seeing him I realized that I am missing all of my dwarf hermits, but still have all of the others. I have not seen any empty shells, do they use all of them? I have heard some popping, but nothing loud enough to startle me, like I would have expected. He is about 2.5 inches long and a bright green color, i guess he came in on my Fiji rock. The only reason I saw him was because I bought an Emerald crab and put him in the tank. A few minutes later, it sounded like a gunshot went off in the tank. I looked over and saw nothing and was turning away and heard it again. I saw the Mantis destroying the crab. That was an expensive meal. My question is this, if I get another Emerald crab and bait a bottle trap with it, should it work? Also, I know it is hard without a pic, but what are the possibilities as far as an ID? I have a friend who wants it when I catch it. Thanks a lot.

Nick

 

[opihi]

i can see the logic in using another emerald crab to bait the mantis. you can also try freeze dried krill or thawed chunks of squid. using another emerald crab could be an expensive piece of bait if you're not around to rescue him before he gets popped.

i tried adding an emerald crab to my mantis nano once. i know exactly what you're talking about IRT the "gunshot". i couldn't believe how loud that pop was!

 

[Absint Reefer]

have the person that your giving the mantis to buy the bait

 

[nam2212]

I can get one with my next internet order for about $4, so it won't be too bad.