I have SOMETHING that live in the Rock that I do not know what it is, Help?

[gregbva]

I have a 30 Gallon Marine Saltwater Tank and have 2 clownfish, 1 angelfish and 13 crabs, 4 snails and 1 Cleaner Shrimp. I have one animal that I never purchased and runs along the bottom of the tank with what looks like a hundred legs and has 2 eyes that stick out of the head and is very fast. WHAT IS THIS ANIMAL: HELP? I NEVER PURCHASED THIS, Will it hurt the others or is it OK?
Thanks,
GREG

 

[sandy]

Uh oh. I'm a newbie, so don't be alarmed, but do a search under mantis shrimp on this site. Hope it's not a mantis shrimp. If it is... it is probably young and there are ways to get 'em out.
Anyone else? What do you think?

 

[mr . salty]

Let's not jump to conclusions here...MANTIS SHRIMP???That general description does not sound at all like a Mantis..Sounds more like some sort of worm...A PICTURE WOULD SURE HELP...But a fast creature with lot's of legs and bugged eyes is not much to go on.

 

[gregbva]

The color is Dark grey to black and looks like a shrimp or even a cleaner shrimp with no long legs, colors, or long antennas,etc... Very agressive sometimes. I had 5 snails a month ago and all were killed. I think the crabs got them. I bought more snails and they are staying on the glass in the corners and everything is alright.

 

[fshhub]

i agree with mr salty, but now the description,
is it kind of shaped like a centipede??
or have a tali like a lobster and 2 front arms like a praying mantis?
and the snails shell, were they busted up, or just cleaned out, this too may help

 

[sandy]

now now, I said I was a newbie and that it *might* be... tanks for the other responses though. Now I'm curious. Sandy

 

[gregbva]

I looked at a picture of a mantis shrimp on the web and it looks like it. Looks like a shrimp and front looks like a praying mantis. Snail shells were cleaned out, not cracked.
If it is a Mantis Shrimp How do I get rid of it?

 

[fshhub]

you can try a trap, but normaly they don't work too well(sometimes they do), mantis are very smart and even if it did work then you have to get it out before it gets out ot the trap because you will never have a 2d opportunity(almosts here never work again)
OR very carefully and cautiously, they are dangerous(exotic and cool in their own way) and deadly for a tank with fish and inverts, what i have heard is the best way(and has worked for many) is to isolate his rock, adn when he is in it, remove he rock(watch your hands) and pu --- into a bucket of sw, then use a turkey baster and shoot club soda into his hole, he will almost surely come flying out, so do not shoot it in where you you will be infront of it, then you can remove the rock adn put it back into the aquarium, the mantis you can set up a species only tank or get rid of if you want
other options, are to try fw, really high slaine sw or hot water,but i think i find club soda works the best
HTH