Something new appeared

rbenn

New Member
Was staring at my salt reef today and saw something darting in and out of the live rock. Had the head of a crab...no claws and what looked like the body of a lobster with 25 sets of legs. About 2" long and was dark gray in color...anyone have a clue? The little sucker is so fast that I can't get the camera on him.
 

robchuck

Active Member
rbenn,
Not to get you paranoid or anything, but it sounds like you might have a mantis shrimp. Have you heard any clicking sounds coming from your tank, or is any of your livestock missing? Here is a great site that gives a lot of info about the mantis shrimp .
 

rbenn

New Member
Well, that looks just like what I have...now, what do I do about it. Sounds like a very nasty creature that was hitching a ride in my last batch of live rock. Any advice?
 

buzz

Active Member
Well, you definitely want to get it out, or your stock will start disappearing. They are nasty, but are also very clever, if that trait can be assigned to a shrimp.
Don't try to catch it by hand, because they have a nasty hammer claw that, depending on its size, can break glass, or even the bones in your hand - (that is their reputation) although I haven't heard any actual experiences of that happening to any members here. Of course, it may be hard to grab anyway because of their speed.
Try and trap it. I hear a lot of people try using coke bottles with raw shrimp in it to lure it inside and then grab the bottle. They also sell mantis traps that are a hit or miss. They will catch the first thing that goes in, including hermits.
I have heard methods of injecting carbonated water into their LR hiding places (after the LR is out of the tank of course) to get them out...one even went so far as to drill out the holes in the LR...worked, but a bit extreme.
In any event, best of luck.
 

rbenn

New Member
I really appreciate the advice and interest. I will keep you posted as my adventure unfolds. SWF.com will send a trap and I will try the coke bottle idea (good one!). The beastie had not been present until I moved some LR to start constructing a live sand spit in the middle of my tank. Must have released the little SOB at that time. Live and learn! Again, Thanks!
Rbenn
 
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