!@**@#! mantis

Princess Di · #1 03/27/2005, 04:31 PM

I can't believe I never noticed it before. He is big and ugleeeeeee!!
He has been in my tank for at least a year, because I have not added anything that he could have been in since my live rock.
I made one of the homemade traps with pvc and plastic pop bottle thingy. I'll try that for a couple of days. I'm not looking forward to tearing apart over 500 lbs of live rock!!!

People actually keep these as pets????

mbbuna · #2 03/27/2005, 05:24 PM

get a pic

PSEUDOREEFER · #3 03/27/2005, 05:26 PM

If he's a good specimen, I may buy him from you. They need species tanks as they'll kill just about anything, but they're very interesting creatures. Check the mantis forum.

JENnKerry · #4 03/27/2005, 05:30 PM

Maybe a hawkfish or pseudo of some type could take care of it. I know they eat shrimp, why would a mantis be any different?

PSEUDOREEFER · #5 03/27/2005, 05:32 PM

A mantis shrimp has claws that can strike faster than a .22 bullet

A hawkfish or pseudo would = lunch to a mantis

Depending on if it's a smasher type or spearer type it may just go after crabs and snails.

Princess Di · #6 03/27/2005, 05:46 PM

I have only lost 2 small gobies in the last year and various snails and crab. I'm not sure....I had over 350 to start. I didn't think much of it. I had noticed clicking noises, but assumed it was my pistol shrimp. It wasn't until yesterday when I saw it that I knew. From what I could see, it is dark greenish/red and has bright red/pinkish eyes and claws on the front. Really long whisker things too.

JENnKerry · #7 03/27/2005, 05:50 PM

Well you learn something new everyday. Thanks PSEUDOREEFER. Di, maybe post something in the Mantis forum. I'm sure you could find how to trap it.

Princess Di · #8 03/28/2005, 06:34 PM

I was finally able to get a picture, but not a very good one. He is actually very pretty....a lot more colorful than other pictures I've seen. How much damage would I do my tearing out my rock and fresh dipping it? I really want this thing out and the trap doesn't seem to be catching anything but my other shrimp and crabs.

swashbuckler · #9 03/28/2005, 06:38 PM

almost looks like a peacock mantis

El_Chico · #10 03/28/2005, 07:03 PM

Beautiful Mantis.

I agree with Pseudo, check the mantis forum. IF you can get it out, I would encourage you to set up a small tank for it as they are incredibly intelligent and fascinating to observe.

Levi_S · #11 03/28/2005, 08:00 PM

do not fresh dip your rock! he has been in there a year with nothing but some dead snails; no sence to ruin hundreds of dollars of rock over a 30 dollar mantis. take your time and you will eventually catch him. Just be more carefull when you stick your hands in your tank... he could bloody your finger real good.

PS i have had one in my tank for over year too... i haven't even seen mine yet, i envy you

dc · #12 03/28/2005, 08:16 PM

He's so cute!

I bought mine his own tank!

Fastmarc · #13 03/28/2005, 08:29 PM

I would keep that one, though I wouldn't want it in my main display.

swashbuckler · #14 03/28/2005, 08:41 PM

ive heard of dipping in higher salinity (1.030-40) water can be another way to tell the mantis to get out.

PSEUDOREEFER · #15 03/28/2005, 08:58 PM

Looks like a peacock mantis (smasher). Don't dip the rock or anything. Be patient and try to catch him. They're very intelligent animals and even if you don't want him, there are probably many people in your area looking for one. If you check the mantis forum, there are probably several people that would pay for shipping out of state as well.