Tip for catching a Mantis shrimp...

[dalejsanders]

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.

 

[landlord]

Just an addition. Pull gently means just that, "Pull gently". I got ahold of one of my TBS stowaways with a pair of medical forseps. I thought I was pulling gently but all I got was a claw, or leg, or some appendage. Now I believe that I have angered the little bugger.

On a brighter note. I had a blue colored mantis who decided to cruise around in the open last night. I caught him with a fish net. Go figure! He has now taken up residence in a 10 gallon until I decide what to do with him.

1 down ... more than 1 to go!

-landlord

 

[jjrock]

I would sure love to get my hands on a blue mantis shrimp. I currently have two, a very large "Peacock Mantis", aptly named "Ghengis-Prawn", and a small green one (my first) name Leviathon.

Anyone know where the blue ones come from? The scientific (latin) names? Where I can get one?

Thanks,
JJ.

 

[landlord]

I dunno jjrock. He is only about three inches long and now that he is not so firhgtened after being caught he is starting to look more peacock-ish.

-landlord

 

[clowns'r'us]

blue mantis you are talking about. i am looking for one.

common name:rainbow mantis shrimp or clown mantis

latin name= odontodactylus scyllarus

found in= tulamben, bali, indonesia