Mantis Shrimp

[kilroy217]

I finally caught the mantis shrimp that had hitchiked on my live rock that recently went into the tank. I currently have him trapped in my QT. If anybody wants him, he's free to you. If not, he's a goner in a few days. I hate to kill a living creature, but I just don't have anywhere safe to put him.

I don't have pictures, but it's about an inch to an inch and a half long, and it's a sort of maroon color with bright reddish-orange tenticles, and dark greenish eyes.

 

[Justjoe]

I can take it at Atlantis, we have a display for them. I can send you home with a frag or two for the effort of getting it to AMW.

 

[Merfin70]

Can I ask how you caught him? I have a similar sized hitchhiker that I've only seen once in 8 months. Would love to get it out.

 

[kilroy217]

JustJoe - I can bring it by Sunday. I just sent you a PM with my phone number, please call me, and we can arrange something.

Merfin70 - it was complicated. I fashioned a makeshift trap out of a 2-litre bottle, but that didn't work. So, I took a bucket full of pre-aged saltwater, and I put the rock I knew he lived in into the bucket. I poked and prodded with a bamboo skewer (normally for cooking) until he poked his head out, then I shook the rock. He fell to the bottom of the bucket, and I put the rock back in my display tank. Just used a net to get him from the bucket into my QT. I know it sounds really stupid, and I'm sure looked quite funny, but hey, it got the job done.

 

[jpitch]

If they're anything like crabs... I saw someone from Aquahut take out a large piece of live rock that he believed had a bunch of emerald crabs I wanted to buy. After a min or 2 of not being in water they started to jump out of the rock.

 

[WallysWorld]

Beleive it or not my two sons and I caught about 6 fishing off the new Port Jefferson pier. I could not beleive it! The first one caught was by the guy next to us. It was small about 2 inches. The gentleman went to pick it up after pulling him in on a snapper hook. I told him not to touch it stating their very dangerous. I once saw one take the tip on a bamboo sharks tail off. Anyway when I showed everyone on the dock how the claws unhinged just like a Pray Mantis hence the name they were surprized.
After this 2 incher I caught one about 6 inches. This thing was a monster! the rest were smaller and all were kind of green not very colorful. All were tossed back into the water.

This was late Sept so I wonder did the stream bring them?? I have never seen them in our LI waters before haas anybody else?

Pound for pound I think they make a pit bull look like a ***** cat.

They actually look like they're from another planet, very cool.

-Walter

 

[kilroy217]

Thanks, Joe, for the frags, taking the time to talk and show me around Atlantis, and the advice. It truly was a pleasure meeting you, and I hope to see you again sometime soon. Meeting you today has definitely gotten me interested in joining LIRA. I can only hope everybody is as nice as you were today!

 

[billsreef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14405006#post14405006 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WallysWorld
This was late Sept so I wonder did the stream bring them?? I have never seen them in our LI waters before haas anybody else?

There is actually a local species. Get nice and large

 

[Justjoe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14412014#post14412014 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kilroy217
Thanks, Joe, for the frags, taking the time to talk and show me around Atlantis, and the advice. It truly was a pleasure meeting you, and I hope to see you again sometime soon. Meeting you today has definitely gotten me interested in joining LIRA. I can only hope everybody is as nice as you were today!

Hey Matt,
Nice to meet you and your dad. The club is full of nice people, and some even nicer then me...
Great corals and great people really is a good combination, so be sure to come to the LIRA meetings.

 

[Justjoe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14414494#post14414494 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by billsreef
There is actually a local species. Get nice and large

Yup, they get big. The local commercial fishermen call them "thumbsplitters". When they're picking through their catch, they are often get whacked.

They are fascinating creatures with a very sophisticated eye, and different species have modified claws, some for stunning, some for grabbing and some for spearing their prey.

When I was at Southampton College, we had one crack a 10 gallon glass tank.

 

[jejton]

Where's the new Port Jeff pier?

 

[WallysWorld]

If you take Rte 112 North to the end then make a right. About 200 yds on the left (Right after Danfords) you'll see a tall brick building make the left in front of the building and follow it around to the right you'll see the pier on your left. Sometime the SUNY Research ship is docked at the pier. Can't miss it it goes out into the habor about 300ft'ish... Its where I get my water for water changes.