Spook Your Mantis

S

StevenLees

New member
I had half of my 75 gallon TBS "Package" for about 2 weeks before I decided to remove my Mantis shrimp. I had 5 of them. Two of them were 3+ inches, the others were 1 inch or less. I actually liked watching them and didn't mind them being in my tank until I started noticing that the barnacles were dwindling in number. I tried the bait-in-the-bottle method for only a night - didn't work. That night I fed the shrimp fresh fish thinking they'd leave the other stuff alone. The next morning more barnacles were missing and the fish was still there. I didn't want to kill them, but I definitely didn't want them in my tank anymore. I could only think of one more option before I took the rock out of the tank - scare 'em out. I got a metal clotheshanger and straightened it. I went after the big one first. Not trying to kill it, I found the hole it was hiding in and waved the closehanger just in front of it over and over. Over and over it pounded the tip of the clotheshanger with its hammers. This went on for about 10 minutes when all of a sudden it panicked and swam straight up, I netted it and put it in another tank. I spent the next 2 hours locating and catching Mantis shrimp. For the smaller ones hiding in smaller holes, I used a straightened paper clip. This works! If you can get to the holes the shrimp are hiding in and you're relentless, they'll freak out and swim right to the top of the tank.

<p>

<img src="http://www.vortech.servemp3.com/vortech/Uploads/mantis.jpg" alt="" border="0">
 
They are from TBS and they are gorgeous. They're also very entertaining when they're not bustin' barnacles. Unless they were just wrestling around, I just might have a few more in a few weeks. This is the sequence of events that took place after I dropped Mantis #2 in the spare tank :love1: :

<p>

<img src="http://www.vortech.servemp3.com/vortech/Uploads/2mantis_01.jpg" alt="" border="0"><p>
<img src="http://www.vortech.servemp3.com/vortech/Uploads/2mantis_02.jpg" alt="" border="0"><p>
<img src="http://www.vortech.servemp3.com/vortech/Uploads/2mantis_03.jpg" alt="" border="0"><p>
<img src="http://www.vortech.servemp3.com/vortech/Uploads/2mantis_04.jpg" alt="" border="0">
 
did you drop this pic in the mantis forum for their veiw as well as good place if you dont plan on keeping them,
i kept only one of mine 3 inch red one same coloring as yours, couldn t help myself he was just to cool looking to let go.
 
If I recall correctly, this is where he said, "Now, go get my cigarettes and the remote, and quit talkin'", but I may wrong. :lolspin:<br>
<img src="http://www.vortech.servemp3.com/vortech/Uploads/mantis.jpg" alt="" border="0">
 
Your technique is weird. It worked the same way all 5 times? Strange and Cool.

Those shrimp are Beautiful :-)
 
I guess it so, but it worked. Yes, the same way every time. Hopefully it'll work just as well for the second shipment.

<a href="http://www.coreyallen.net/images/coiledpink.html">Coiled Pink</a> - 2 thumbs up! :)
 
Basically you have discovered the same technique that many stomatopods use when evicting a resident from its cavity - persistant harrassment. Interestingly the time frame is also about the same 8-15 minutes. When an intruder is trying to evict a resident, it will camp outside the entrance, striking every 30 seconds or so at the entrance. During this time, it willl usually coil using its telson to block the residents attacks. Eventually, after 10 minutes or so, the resident will flee. The problem for intruders is that while they are trying to evict a resident, they are out in the open and attracting unwanted attention. It takes a motivated, strong stomatopod to put up a long fight and when the resident has been harrassed for this long, it flees.

Roy
 
Very cool Steven. The question I have is, how did you see yours and figure out which hole(s) they were in? I'm positive I have one, but I haven't ever seen him and don't have an idea which hole to harass.
 
Mostly just listened for where the clicking was coming from - it seemed to be nonstop in my tank. From that point I found that if you wave the clotheshanger within an inch or two from their hole, they'll come after it. They seem to be pretty fearless as long as they can scurry right back in. There was one that I couldn't get to very well, so I bent the clotheshanger and fought him blindly - they all give up with time. Also, you might try dropping a small piece of raw shrimp near where you think it might be and wait and watch - he'll come out for it. Might want to also try this with only your moonlights on.
 
Giving up times are influenced by several factors including stage in the molt cycle, quality and fit of the cavity, hunger and most importantly of all in females, whether she has eggs or larvae. Females with eggs and larvae will take far more punishment before bailing out. In fact, you would probably tire before they would.

Roy
 
catching a mantis

catching a mantis

In trying to catch ours the LFS owner said to use carbonated water unsweetened and dip your rock into it and let it sit for a few minutes they get out very quickly haven't tried it yet but wish me luck. Anyone else hear of this. I don't have the patience to use the coat hanger.
 
That is the method Splach used. Here's his thread:
<a href="showthread.php?s=&threadid=323562&highlight=mantis+seltzer+water" target=_blank>Whooo! 3 less mantis in my tank today...</a>
 
then what do you do? I got 30 lbs from them and I have at least 1 mantis and 2 rock crabs. None of them have even paid attention to the trap I set.
 
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