Who is killing my snails????

[webbstock]

I have a 36 corner with TBS live rock in it. I bought this rock used from another guy who was tearing down the tank, I think he had had it about 2 years previously. I know his rock has/had quite a few hitchhikers (gorilla crabs, pistol shrimp, aptasia etc.)
In the batch of rock that I have, I've seen no crabs of any sort, one unidentifed snail, and I've seen one shrimp carapace that looked like a pistol shrimp (I guess). I currently have no fish in the tank.

The point of this post is something is killing an eating my snails (Astraea). I was wondering is there were any telltale signs to look for to see if I have a mantis shrimp eating my snails.

thanks in advance!

 

[Thurge]

Not really. You can't tell a mantis from a pistol by the "clicking" sound each makes. The carapace could just be from a Pistol that molted. Best bet would be to look for a pile of snail shells, and stake out that area of the tank. Check it at night with a red flash light and you may see the offending critter.

 

[webbstock]

and stake out that area of the tank

Thanks, that's a good idea. Hopefully I'll find the culprit before I lose too many more snails...although another snail is MIA...

 

[DanInSD]

Some thoughts.

1) Probably the #1 cause of missing snails in a lot of aquaria is hermit crabs looking for bigger homes. Don't discount this.

2) Pistol shrimp in my experience don't go after snails.

3) A mantis will break through the shell in order to get to the meat -- are you seeing "holed" shells? If so, somethin' is making those holes, and if you got your rock from TBS, I'd be looking for a pair of eyes...

Dan

 

[mattyice]

i couldnt agree more Dan, everyone you said is exactly what i would suspect... even if you find crushed shells its a mantis