Mantis wont eat

[wiscsaltwater]

Well about 5 days ago I picked up a mantis hitchiker out of some liverock i bought, hes about 3 to 4 inches long and a smasher (not sure the exact species). I reomved him to one of my refugiums and put a PVC pipe in the sand bed which he quickly claimed as home. My qestion is this I cant get him to really eat anything. Ive tried thawed clam chunks, krill, silversides, he takes the meat and pulls it back into his pvc but then a minute later he carries it out and pushes it aside and lets it sit there for 24 hours before i finally remove it. if i push the food closer he will do the same thing, take it in then throw it back at me a minute later. I did put some mysis outside his pvc which he appeared to eat or play with cant really tell but my question is why cant i get him to take my food offerings, should i be feeding something else? my LFS said goldfish and/or ghost shrimp and i could try hermit crabs or emerald crabs but they tend to get expensive.

 

[DanInSD]

He's probably just getting used to his new home. Turn off the lights for a day or two, and then try feeding again in a few days.

Dan

 

[wiscsaltwater]

I just checked on him again, now he has the end of the pvc almost completely blocked off with shells and sand and hes inside.

 

[sdunkin]

Sounds like he is getting ready, or is, molting. It is normal for them to not take food for a few days prior to a molt, and they often will block off the entrance to their burrows.

 

[gharner]

he's prolly just getting used to his new home. it sounds like he's starting to settle in. let him starve for a few days...if he gets hungry enough he will go out and activly look for food, then if you give him something he may accept it.