mantis?

[John M.]

I've had my tank running for about 2 years, maybe 2 1/2. I can't believe it but only until recently, and I've only heard it maybe three times in the last few months, I've heard the dreaded clicking sound. At first i didn't think anything about it. It sounded like a pump or something metallic. I've had very little problems with the tank. Also, I haven't added any rock in over 2 years. No fish ever lost. A snail or two dies rarely, I assume from natural causes...knocked over by fish, and can't right himself...the like. I have had the same cleaner shrimp in the tank for nearly two years. Corals are all fine. Is this something I should be concerned about? As of right now, I'm thinking, if it hasn't done any harm I'm not going to worry about it...Thoughts?

 

[THEBMAN]

well I'm not sure what it could be either, but here is a thread of some info that was given to me about mantis.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=184708&highlight=MANTIS

 

[THEBMAN]

try it again,

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=184708&highlight=MANTIS

 

[wylie713]

i might as well jump in on this, since i provided the info on the other thread if you say that all has been fine for 2 years, and no rock has been added chances are its not a mantis. if you have hermit crabs, kkeep a closer eye on them of late, bc they just may be trying to mate. that clicking noise you hear coould be them clicking their shells together, which is sort of a mating dance if you will. this noise will resemble the dreaded mantis click. and of course like the mantis most hermit crabs prefer to do their work(whatever work that is) when the lights are out, so dont get too worried yet. get a red light and inspect your tank if you hear the noise again, you just might get to see somethin for free that most people have to pay $3.95 for

 

[John M.]

I appreciate the replies guys, I've done some reading and I'm inclined to believe the clicking is being made by a pistol shrimp. The pistol I've read makes the clicking noise with his claw maybe once, to a few times in a manner of several seconds. I've read the mantis makes repeated clicking sounds, as this the sound of an attempt to break a snail's or hermit crabs shell. This repeated clicking can last for minutes. What I'm hearing, rarely, is a "click" then a pause and maybe one, or two more "clicks" then nothing. I've got a small nano reef also with a pistol and a shrimp goby. I 've heard the pistol in that tank make the sound as well, and it's fairly loud for such a small shrimp. Anyway, I'll keep an eye out for a possible mantis, but I'm not as worried now. Thanks again. John.