Mantis Vs Fish

[Timbo99]

I have recently removed a mantis shrimp from my tank where I have been having a heap of problems.

Is it possible that the mantis shrimp is attacking my fish and causing them internal injuries??

 

[DT's_Reef]

Totally possible. I had a very very small mantis in my tank (I had no idea at the time) and one day my fridmani looked like something attacked it badly, but I couldn't figure out who did it because the other critters in my tank are very peaceful.

Once day while feeding, I saw something jump out and grab some food. I took the mantis out and gave him to the fish store. No more injuries.

 

[Timbo99]

I have been loseing fish with no visible symptoms. After talking to my LPS they suggested that the matis may have been hitting the fish and causing some internal bleeding or something similar.

 

[DT's_Reef]

Maybe you have the "smasher" type of mantis, rather than the slasher. I figure mine must've been the "slasher" type.

If you're loosing fish, and you simply find them dead, with no apparent injuries, then I doubt the mantis is killing them, as I'm sure it'd eat at least a bit of the fish.

 

[Timbo99]

I managed to remove 3 shrimp, One smasher and two smaller pistol shrimp

 

[DT's_Reef]

Good deal. Mantis shrimp are actually really cool, but are best in a tank without fish.

 

[chunksofpoooo]

if you dont want him id be willing to buy him off you. PM me or email me at swarm48@hotmail.com if you're interested, ive been looking for one

 

[DT's_Reef]

chunks, you could also try calling Pacific Reef in Fountain Valley. I saw 2 peacock mantises there last week, as well as a smaller one.

 

[chunksofpoooo]

thanks for the tip. Ive been looking around and i cant seem to find anything smaller than a peacock, but ill check that out

sorry for the hijack

 

[DT's_Reef]

The third mantis they had at Pacific Reef (in Fountain Valley, not the Anaheim store) was very small. It sounds like what you're looking for. Actually, it may be the one I gave them from my reef!