Will these things breed in a typical reef tank?

[lakerat37]

I have found 3 mantis shrimp in my tank. this is after I removed (only by shear luck) a rather large one when I bought this tank. bought this system used from another hobbyist that started the tank 4 months prior, and I keep seeing more M. shrimp. I think I still have 3 in the tank... all small but I want them out. I have tried traps, but to no avail. I have tried the bottle method and a commercial trap with a door that must be manually closed. Is there any trap that you folks think is the best? Will they breed in this tank?

I can't say they have killed anything yet, but I was going today to buy a bunch of snails for cleanup and I am concerned that the shrimp will enjoy them for snacks.

I really can't say where their "hole" is but I usally see them near my large baserocks and I don't want to tear down the tank!

What should I do??

Thankx, Ken

 

[CrazyLionfish]

Try to lure them out with live food such as a hermit crab and then use a trap. Try using the trap with some live food in it. And don't feed the tank for a day or two so that they're really hungry and they'll go in. Then once you catch them, send one to me

 

[Uriel]

Are you sure that they are mantis shrimp?
Some folks mistake Amphipods for baby mantis rather frequently,really.

http://www.mov.vic.gov.au/crust/amphigal.html


-Ron

 

[sandlot13]

ya, definitly try to lure them out with a trap set with live food...... try a feeder fish in side the trap or somehting to that extent (from my experiance they seem to love the smell) Lemme know how it goes, and Ill be second in line for one if you wanted to send em to a good home (or a mantis shrine, depending on what you want to call it )

 

[ReeferGreg]

When you catch one, please notify me!!!! I want a mantis very badly!