New Mantis technique

[kp1917]

OK,

I have two mantis shrimp an inch and a half long. They stuck to their holes for the first month and then yesterday one decided that he was king of the tank; out walking around, picking up little blue legs taking them off for execution.

So I had picked up a grabber from a hardware store. This is the item that looks like stainless flexible conduit with four prongs at the grabber end and a thumb plunger at the other end. When you depress the plunger the four prongs extend and open up. When you let go they slam back and together. I think its used to get rings out of drains. Anyway, the mantis just stood there while I slowly moved into position and it only took two tries. I didn't have to bait him but will the other one this weekend. It didn't kill him so I through him in the ten gallon with the octopus.

Now, what the heck do I feed him?

Kyle

 

[Fountainhead]

Thanks for the tip. I know what you're talking about, and you're right, that WOULD be a useful tool to capture a mantis, or other unwanted pest. I'm going to pick one up this weekend.

Nice tip.

 

[kp1917]

OK, I just proofed my first post and realized that I used "through" when I should have used "threw". I wouldn't have said anything but I know that one of you smart*** would have corrected me.

Kyle

 

[docklink]

Wouldn't have noticed if you hadn't mentioned it (through - threw).
As for feeding the mantis, if it's in with the Octo it may be a moot point

 

[Bax]

A fitting end for a mantis though.

 

[JNievesmd]

THANKS!

THANKS!

Just want to say that thanks to you I have finally caught a gorilla crab that resisted all other eviction attempts for over 4 months. I'd tried every other trap described here but with the grabber I got him on the first try!
Thanks for sharing your technique!

 

[fishless]

What's the grabber look like? I don't spend a lot of time in the hardware store, so I dunno if I've ever seen one. Got a picture?

 

[Sardaukar]

A fitting end for a mantis though.

Indeed. I have heard rumors of people with large tanks and lots of new LR putting in a small octopus to remove any unwanted crabs and mantis shrimp. Once the octopus stops hunting around the rock, its clear

 

[kp1917]

Don't have a picture. Go to Home Depot or any (even little) hardware store and ask for

"a device that grabs things that are hard to reach, it looks like 1/4 inch stainless steel flexible conduit with a grabber at one end and a button at the other end that you press"

Good luck. By the way it rusts quickly so rinse it off good before storing it.

Kyle

 

[tonyh67]

"Dollar" store usually has them too.