dalejsanders
New member
When I received my live rock from Tampa Bay Saltwater, I made the wise choice to place it all in an extra 75 gallon tank that I had. This allowed me to monitor any sponge die-off and also look for unwanted stowaways. I heard the very distinguished clicking sounds that Smashing Mantis shrimp make and the hunt began. In a very short amount of time I found the first one... peering at me from a burrow in one of the live rocks. I racked my brain trying to figure out how to get him. Then it came to me... a mechanics helper... also sometimes referred to as a computer technicians helper. It's a spring loaded "claw" that is sometimes housed in a flexible tubing. You typically use them to retrieve screws from hard to reach places. You can usually find them at your local Radio Shack. This thing worked like a charm. I slipped the end of it into the burrow, and although the shrimp was smacking the heck out of it, within seconds I had him and was able to gently pull him out, unharmed. Over the following 3 days I found 2 more and safely removed those as well.
Now, this tip only works if you know where your Mantis shrimp has decided to set up shop. But once you locate him, I can think of no better solution.
My only problem now if locating the one that stayed silent until being placed into the long-established reef tank. Now he's clicking and flicking all the time... but I'll find him. Oh... I'll find him!
Hope this helps some of you get them out of your tank when they are unwanted. My local fish store has purchased them from me upon safe removal.
Now, this tip only works if you know where your Mantis shrimp has decided to set up shop. But once you locate him, I can think of no better solution.
My only problem now if locating the one that stayed silent until being placed into the long-established reef tank. Now he's clicking and flicking all the time... but I'll find him. Oh... I'll find him!
Hope this helps some of you get them out of your tank when they are unwanted. My local fish store has purchased them from me upon safe removal.