Alright, so my mantis issues are continuing. I know for a fact I have at least 2 mantis shrimps in my tank probably more. Once I have narrowed down where there burrow is, what is the preferred method to remove them? I have read a about a multitude of ways, squirting fresh water in the holes, squirting seltzer water in the holes, a fresh water dump, prodding with a coat hanger. Has anyone had any success with these methods? Any suggestions anyone could provide would be greatly appreciated.
mantis woes
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divemonster
New member
you can...
you can...
the downside to squirting fresh or seltzer water into the rock is the probability of killing other life that you may want. It really isn't good for the rock but I have seen it work.
one thing that worked for me was feeding the mantis shrimps a small piece of raw shrimp using a bamboo skewer. That got them accustomed to my presence and made them complacent. Then I lured them into a net with the shrimp. Another thing that worked was a homemade bottle trap after not feeding them for 2-3 days.
They are very clever and learn quickly. Fail with one method and it will be necessary to change your tactics. You may find yourself hunting them with a variety of tools. For example Noah M. used airline tubing and flushed them out of their holes into another piece of tubing he had plugged at one end. It was small enough that they mantis could not turn around.
I still have one mantis in my main display. It has learned "how not to be seen."
you can...
the downside to squirting fresh or seltzer water into the rock is the probability of killing other life that you may want. It really isn't good for the rock but I have seen it work.
one thing that worked for me was feeding the mantis shrimps a small piece of raw shrimp using a bamboo skewer. That got them accustomed to my presence and made them complacent. Then I lured them into a net with the shrimp. Another thing that worked was a homemade bottle trap after not feeding them for 2-3 days.
They are very clever and learn quickly. Fail with one method and it will be necessary to change your tactics. You may find yourself hunting them with a variety of tools. For example Noah M. used airline tubing and flushed them out of their holes into another piece of tubing he had plugged at one end. It was small enough that they mantis could not turn around.
I still have one mantis in my main display. It has learned "how not to be seen."
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noahm
Active member
I caught 4/6 mostly chasing them into 1/2" poly tubing by covering their hole and prodding from a second entrance. Blowing bubbles in from an air tube works well. One I caught easily in a modified bottle trap.
The key is if you get frustrated and/or angry, you will NOT catch them. I don't make the rules...
The key is if you get frustrated and/or angry, you will NOT catch them. I don't make the rules...
I just got my TBS on Tuesday and have caught two Mantis already, I see a third, but there sounds like a few more in the tank. So far, I've been able to locate them and use a 'claw' tool on them pretty easily (they pop the tool a few times but can't escape). I've got several gorillas too, and will probably try to shake them out or just crush them. I've got some traps set too, so hopefully I can catch some that way.
The rock is pretty freaking nice!
The rock is pretty freaking nice!
noahm
Active member
That claw tool is pretty handy all around for picking around the tank. I just make sure to dip mine in my RO bucket and try to dry it.
I haven't been able to catch a mantis that way, but I did snag a mouse from under the oven range that the cat brought in and let go. Don't worry, he was fine although it did look pretty uncomfortable. Now roaming the streets I presume.
I haven't been able to catch a mantis that way, but I did snag a mouse from under the oven range that the cat brought in and let go. Don't worry, he was fine although it did look pretty uncomfortable. Now roaming the streets I presume.
ReefBuff02
New member
Shipment 1 Mantis shrimp
Shipment 1 Mantis shrimp
I got at least one, possibly two mantis shrimp in my first shipment of the package. I've placed a bottle trap at the entrance where I see one mantis shrimp for two nights now... no luck yet but maybe the third time is a charm.
I would advise against the dunking rock in freshwater method of mantis removal - tried it with a smaller base rock and the mantis didn't bail (but a gorilla crab did) even after 1 minute submerged.
I'm going to give the bottle traps a few more nights then try the claw. It sounds like some of you have had better luck with it.
Shipment 1 Mantis shrimp
I got at least one, possibly two mantis shrimp in my first shipment of the package. I've placed a bottle trap at the entrance where I see one mantis shrimp for two nights now... no luck yet but maybe the third time is a charm.
I would advise against the dunking rock in freshwater method of mantis removal - tried it with a smaller base rock and the mantis didn't bail (but a gorilla crab did) even after 1 minute submerged.
I'm going to give the bottle traps a few more nights then try the claw. It sounds like some of you have had better luck with it.
tektite
I never finish anyth
I tried squirting fresh water into a rock to get a mantis out. It didn't work when I took the rock out of the tank for a sec to squirt water in. When the rock was in the tank, though, I knew what burrow the mantis was in, so I squirted fresh water into its hole with a turkey baster, and it shot out another hole.
ReefBuff02
New member
Caught mantis!
Caught mantis!
Just an update for anyone struggling with a crafty mantis shrimp. I was finally able to get the mantis to switch rocks by putting coat hanger wire through it's den. Then I quickly pulled the smaller rock out and placed it in the refuguim thus trapping the mantis... sort of. It took another half hour of bending and placing lengths of coat hanger wire through holes before the mantis ran out of hiding spots and made the mistake of bolting under the rock. I lifted the rock and grabbed the mantis with the claw.
Caught mantis!
Just an update for anyone struggling with a crafty mantis shrimp. I was finally able to get the mantis to switch rocks by putting coat hanger wire through it's den. Then I quickly pulled the smaller rock out and placed it in the refuguim thus trapping the mantis... sort of. It took another half hour of bending and placing lengths of coat hanger wire through holes before the mantis ran out of hiding spots and made the mistake of bolting under the rock. I lifted the rock and grabbed the mantis with the claw.
