Mantis must Go!

[qwage]

Ok, I have read thru this site and others trying to determine how to get rid of a mantis that is terrorizing his tank mates. So far I have lost a peppermint and cleaner shrimp in 4 weeks. The wife is on the warpath and is determined to vanquish the offender. His victims completely disappear...not a trace. I sent a search party in within a day of the last disappearance. Lifted and moved every rock. Nothing just gone....
After the first loss I spotted the mantis and thought I had id'd his lair. I isolated the rock just above the lair in a quarantine tank and sat it on top of PVC with bait shrimp on the bottom. Nothin... then the second shrimp in the display tank vanished. I have tried removing each rock and squirting each hole in the rock using a turkey baster filled with cabonated water....nothin. I now have traps in the display tank using plastic bottles with their tops cut and inverted, baited with shrimp. Nothin so far after a week of trying. Only thing I can figure is that the mantis is still enjoying his last victim or is still full.
Any ideas would be welcome, thanks

 

[Gonodactylus]

If the animal is molting, it will seal up its cavity and can remain there for up to 10 days without reopening. Patience is the key.

 

[qwage]

Thanks for the speedy reply, need to read more about these creatures to better understand their habits. I will wait and see, while continuing to bait the traps.
Is it typical that their victims vanish w/o a trace? Is there any value in looking in hopes it may disclose the location of the mantis?

 

[Gonodactylus]

Hard bits of prey are frequently dumped near the cavity entrance, but they will consume all of a shrimp.

Roy

 

[jcgreen7]

If and when you catch this matis, what do you plan of doing with it? I would be interested in having it if you plan to get rid of it. I have an extra tank that I plan to set up as a mantis tank. Please, if you intend to do away with him keep me in mind for first dibs.

Thanks-
Justin

P.S.- Good luck with your extraction

 

[lossman]

after five months, we finally caught our first mantis!! There is at least one other in there. We saw that he had claimed a hole in a small rock (most of our rocks are 20 - 30 lbs). We saw him go in today and we snagged that little rock out. After about 15 - 20 minutes of squirting RO water into all the holes, he finally popped out!! VICTORY IS OURS!!!!! Well, this time.

 

[qwage]

Hey JCGREEN7, I will keep you in mind, expect to put him in the sump but may change the plan once I have him and see how big he is. First need to catch 'em and so far no luck. Using traps made from plastic bottles with cut and inverted tops. Will try to wrap the bait in nylon to slow him down as well.
After he feasted on my other shrimps I haven't seen him again, no clicking either, so I think he is just relaxing before he feeds again.