Mantis or Pistol?

[MM51496]

I recieved my package yesterday and heard the clicking sound. Today I found a small pistol shrimp and have yet to come across any mantis, so is it possible that the pistol is making the clicking sound and that there is no mantis?

 

[jpsk8man]

yes...pistols make the whole clicking sound as well, but be sure to keep an eye out for anything else

 

[flameangel88]

Seems like you folks are very lucky lately with pistols coming in and all I got was 3 mantis back in Mar & Apr.

 

[Jocko]

Lucky, eh? I guess if you are a big fan of having your entire sand bed moved around all the time, then you could call it lucky.

Of course then you have lots of people who want to buy a mantis for a mantis tank. So I guess the grass is always greener on the other side. Hehe.

 

[EyeOnAll]

Is there any way to lure these guys out? I got my live rock a few weeks ago and I too have the occasional clicking but have yet to see the Pistol or Mantis. I have not seen any of my cleaner crew dead or missing in action. Any thoughts?

 

[flameangel88]

I forgot to mention that I also have 3 Stone Crabs in which one is still in the tank. The last one I got out was bigger than a quarter and between the Mantis & Stone Crab they killed all the Hermit Crabs and all I've are Snails. Can't put any Hermit in till I get the last Stone out.

EyeOnAll,
They usually come out during feeding, so watch closely. If you have a Mantis it usually go from rock to rock even with the lights on.

 

[650-IS350]

If you are starting to get a lot of sand being moved around in little mounds under your rocks then most likely you have pistols.. I just found out I have about 3-4 of them. they are re-landscaping the sand all over my tank. Just look at the holes in the burroughs, shine a flashlight and there eyes will reflect back like a CROC.

 

[EyeOnAll]

Very cool...i think that is it...i have noticed a lot of funny sand trenches inside a few caves. I will try the flashlight idea tonight.

 

[Jocko]

Catching my pistol was a nightmare. I had to remove all rock from the tank and then scoop him up in a specimen container. I never knew they were such good swimmers! Not easy when the water is cloudy and you can't see. Did I mention that removing all the rock and stirring up the sandbed of an established tank is not fun? But its ok cause now he's out and in his own little tank with plenty of sand for him to play with. And my SPS are over the shock of the sandbed disruption.

Here's a question. Anyone had luck finding a species of goby that pairs with the florida pistol? I can't seem to locate any FL goby species so wondering if any non-FL gobies have worked for anyone?

 

[650-IS350]

Same question here.. pinkspot goby could care less about my florida pistols .. and I have about 5 of them in my 100gal.. Don't want to waste money trying to get another shrimp goby that won't end up partnering up...

 

[Qckwzrd]

Anyone in the NY area find a mantis with there shipment let me know, I'll take it off your hands...well tank