Mantis shrimp?

[bandh0526]

I found something in my tank that looked somewhat like a dead praying mantis about an inch long. I've heard of mantis shrimp, but I never actually seen one. Could this be a dead one, or do they molt like all the other shrimp and I still have a live one running around my tank? I haven't seen it alive, don't they like to hide? They aren't good for my tank either are they? I looked them up, but didn't know if that was really it.

[sassafrass]

can you get a pic
Lee

[bandh0526]

Nope, I noticed it a few days ago and I asked some people what they thought it was. Nobody really knew. Now the body or "molt" is gone, probably due to my clean-up crew. It was brown when I saw it. I was on it's side. I told my husband, "that looks like a praying mantis!" and he said that maybe one of our shrimp molted but I was suspicious. I just happened to come across an article on them and was like, "that must be it!"

[Playa-1]

Mantis Shrimp don't exactly look like a praying mantis. They look like an Armor Plated Shrimp on steroids without all the long whiskers.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/568/158898Mantis6311.jpg

[abulgin]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12738737#post12738737 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Playa-1
Mantis Shrimp don't exactly look like a praying mantis. They look like an Armor Plated Shrimp on steroids without all the long whiskers.


I think they resemble a praying mantis. There are a lot of variations. Here are two I was able to find on the net:

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii81/abulgin/Mantisshrimp.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii81/abulgin/squilla3.jpg

Yes, shrimp, including mantis shrimp, molt.

[bandh0526]

It was only about an inch long and it looked identical to the bottom picture. I saw it's little face, that's what made me think of a praying mantis...not so much the rest of his body. Maybe he was dead. I kinda hope so.

[Playa-1]

yikes,
I bet it was a molt. You should set a trap for it.

[Playa-1]

I guess they do resemble a Mantis in their ugly lil faces :)

[fyrefysh]

I'm sure it's a molt, you'd better set a trap depending on what the tank is stocked with. Try to get it while it's small.

[bandh0526]

How would I set a trap? I've never had to do that before?

[ihavtats29]

a fish trap and a small emerald crab as bait may work

[bandh0526]

How would I go about that? I mean, I have no experience setting traps at ALL. Is there a link to help me?

[bandh0526]

I think I might have found a link. It involves a soda bottle...does that sound right?

[ihavtats29]

here is a link or you could try the bottle trick

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~SearchStr~fish%20trap~action~view~idProduct~UL1511~idCategory~FIMISC~category~Ultralife_ Fish_Trap___3_inch__x_9_inch_Saltwater_Aquarium_Supplies_Miscellaneous_Specimen_Containers___Traps~v endor~.html