mantis in reef

[imgrtful]

i have a mantis living in my reef(125g)with about 175-200 lbs of lr.short of taking out the rocks and freshwater dipping each rock i cant get him.he has been spotted 3 times.each time at a different rock.i take out the rock and a couple around it and alas,no shrimp.how much damage will he do to my reef.i have heard him tapping on the glass and breaking rocks.i was told that he will break the glass.true?i am rearranging the rock formation this weekend and really dont want to dip each rock.thanks
eric

 

[Clownish]

You might want to buy a injection molded plastic trap... I believe the LEE's sells them all you have to do is add a piece of shrimp to the trap and presto!

 

[imgrtful]

could i use a 20 oz water bottle.cut off top part and invert the top?

 

[Clownish]

that would probably work, although try just using a sprite bottle on its side, the green darkness makes the mantis feel right at home.... then all you have to do is cap the bottle and take it to your LFS and exchange it for a little credit

 

[Fudo]

Very unlikely that he will break your glass. Very likely that he will eventually kill every snail, crab, and shrimp in the tank. Although there are some stories on this board of well-fed mantis shrimp leaving everything else alone. If he is a smasher, the fish in the tank may be okay (although I would be concerned about slow-moving bottom dwellers). If he is a spearer, it is probably a matter of time before any fish within his size range gets the spike. If you want to keep him in your tank try feeding him regularly with a chunk of meat on a long skewer.