Mantis or Pistol???

[bonesnapper]

Every time I turn off the lights, about 5-10 miutes later I hear some clicking. It clicks in a pattern, like 1-3 clicks then stops for like a minute or two, then another click, and it goes on like that. Sometimes the clicks are spaced out a lot. I can't seem to find the bugger that is clicking. All help will be appreciated.

 

[yosemite sam]

I have read that pistols click in groups of 1-3 like you are describing, and mantids click several times very quickly. I don't know if this is actually true, however.

 

[bonesnapper]

Whew. Anyone else have any input?

 

[grabbitt]

I can't really offer any insight in regards to click repitition, but I can tell you the best bet you have at finding out which it is for a fact is to camp out for a while when the lights go out and see what comes crawling out of your LR.

 

[reef_dart21]

or it can never hurt to buy a mantis trap

 

[groupergenius]

Originally Posted by BoneSnapper
http:///forum/post/2457543
Every time I turn off the lights, about 5-10 miutes later I hear some clicking. It clicks in a pattern, like 1-3 clicks then stops for like a minute or two, then another click, and it goes on like that. Sometimes the clicks are spaced out a lot. I can't seem to find the bugger that is clicking. All help will be appreciated.

I have had several pistols in the past. Intentional ones that I caught and put in. Their clicks have usually been sporadic and VERY loud. Like smacking a spoon or something metal against the glass. Usually one or 2 here and there mostly after lights out.
I have seen a mantis in my 90 and my 15 recently and have never heard either one.

 

[bonesnapper]

The clicks are pretty loud.

 

[bcott]

The same thing has been happening to me too. It's been going on for the past several months and I'm assuming it's a pistol because none of my fish are hurt/missing and my cleaner shrimp is even fine.

 

[groupergenius]

Originally Posted by bcott
http:///forum/post/2457617
The same thing has been happening to me too. It's been going on for the past several months and I'm assuming it's a pistol because none of my fish are hurt/missing and my cleaner shrimp is even fine.
Pistols are a bit more neighbor friendly. Once they feel threatened, they will give multiple quick pops. Usually 3-5. And I have never had one attack fish or other inverts.

 

[bonesnapper]

Well, the only thing I notice on my fish is there is a big scratch on my Blueheaded Fairy Wrasse. But that is from ich. All of my snail are a live and all of my hermits too.

 

[bonesnapper]

Anyone else?

 

[dragonboy]

I have the same thing in my tank but I can never seem to find it as well. I just assume its a pistol shrimp cause most of fish or inverts haven't been killed or anything. I never seen it come out even after the lights or out I just don't know how would I even get him out cause I can't see him. Every once in awhile it snaps about 2 or 3 times quickly sometimes I wonder if it could be a mantis but I haven't see anything been kill so I assume pistol.

 

[emm0909]

Camping out with a flashlight (red lense is your best bet) and seeing what comes out. There are plenty of things in the tank I'm sure you'd be glad to see. My pistol snaps all the time. I hear him several times a day. I think he's just grumpy.

 

[grabbitt]

My pistol tended to be a grump, too. Whenever I heard it click, I knew he was fragging. I would look over and he would be clipping at a mushroom or paly at the base at which point he would carry it off and hide it under his rock... So odd, but very funny to watch.

 

[nycbob]

maybe it ur hermits shell knocking against the glass tank?

 

[bonesnapper]

I don't think it is the hermits because they are always on my LR. They don't go in the sand for some reason.