what causes the click the mantis shrimp makes?

[rylin]

im sure its been asked before but i did a search and couldnt find the answer.. i posted in the reef discussion forum today cuz i saw my mantis today so i went to do more research on him on the web and i wondered what was the click caused by, i couldnt find the answer.. but i found that they can break glass and crush crabs, so i was starting to think everytime i hear a click its him banging the glass or something terrible.. what is it?

 

[dc]

Well the only time I hear mine cracking is when he is pounding the shrimp pellets I feed him. So I'm assuming that's what it is part of the time.

 

[rylin]

ugh so, seeing that i dont feed mine.. i should assume hes cracking my crabs shells?

 

[dc]

If they are small enough that would be a good assumption.

 

[rylin]

i guess i will look into feeding mantis food. but its a large tank with many creatures. i doubt hed get whatever i put in for him