Mantis shrimp unwanted...

[paulyd1978]

He's in a rock that I could easily remove from the tank without disturbing too much, but then what? I don't want to destroy the rock, so what can I do?

 

[spanko]

Squirt some ROCI water into the hole it is hiding in. This wiil usually cause them to come running out. Keep your fingers away from it, can give a nasty punch.

 

[paulyd1978]

If I dunk the whole rock, will it affect the bacterial culture?

 

[renogaw]

if you're going to dunk it, dunk the whole rock in a 1.031 hypo saline solution. that way you don't kill anything off, just make it uncomfey. do you have somewhere to put the mantis?

 

[paulyd1978]

Yeah, I've got a 12g nano with an urchin and a couple ocelarus clowns that I'll put him in.

 

[subielover]

Why would you want to put it in there? It could possiblly kill everything in the tank. Mantis should be in a species-only tank.

 

[renogaw]

depends on the mantis and how well it's fed. mine has yet to kill the 5 hermits, 2 astreas, and 30 periwinkles (sorta had hoped he'd take them out...) because i feed mine krill and silversides and other meaty stuff every cople days.

 

[fish are good]

pictures plz

 

[paulyd1978]

Mantis shouldn't attack unless he's starving and he will go after crabs and snails first. When I notice this behavior then I'll move him.

 

[robertmathern]

you can make a trap for him kinda like how you catch bristle worms but with a bigger hole. Not sure how well it works

 

[jtt]

if you dont want him, ill take him

 

[csmicro]

How big is it?
I have captured 3 of them so far using a clear siphon hose with a large valve at the end. Although in my case if they were in a location that I could have easily remove the rock I would have tried that first.
The steps are as follows:
1.Start the siphon and the close the valve once the hose is clear of all air bubbles.
2.Push some food up the hose.
3.Move the hose in front / over the hole he is in.
4.Wait very patiently until he begins to enter the hose
5.Turn the valve and SUCK him out into a bucket or other container.
Keep your fingers clear of the hole when holding the hose. They are territorial and will most likely strike the hose. It may take several attempts.
-Ken

 

[fish are good]

do you have any pictures of your attempts? i think it wouuld be interesting to have such and interesting hitchhiker.