View Full Version : Pistol Shrimp or Manitis
I have a clicking noise in my tank, we know what that is. I read somewhere that it could also be a pistol shrimp which stated might not be harmfull to the reef tank... Is this true? and how can I tell which I have?
Nykademus
08/20/2006, 07:10 AM
unfortunatly, the only way to find out which it is ( w/o catching a glimpse in the tank ) is to pull out each piece of rock and inspect it before you set it aside, and hope its left over when you remove all the rock.
Or you could try a trap, but I have heard of limited success with these.
If you remove the rock.. make sure to wear thick rubber gloves!!! mantis are not forgiving to exposed flesh.
Good luck with the hunt!
B33FST3W
08/20/2006, 09:19 AM
have you had any fish or invert losses? a mantis will normally start going for small hermits and snails for food, and if those are not available he will find other things. If it is a mantis, you can always keep it well fed with frozen food and he probably wont hurt any of your livestock. The mantis I had only killed a couple of hermits and snails, and he never touched any fish or the starfish I had.
I have no fish yet, new setup. I do see small crab bodies popping up but they dont look torn apart. I am not sure if it from molting or not. How can I tell? I have lots of snail and crabs of small size and the ones I know about seem to be fine.
Voltekker
08/20/2006, 10:09 AM
I hope its not a mantis : (
Ne0eN
08/20/2006, 11:28 AM
I usually see my pictol shrimp busy at work digging new caves and holes. He sometimes creates a huge sand-storm. What kind of sybstrate do you have?
-- Rob
Live rock from TBS, I dont see that going on. I do see little faces looking at me in holes. And they tease me... hehehe I look around for 15 mins I hear nothing then go to my desk with my back to the tank and I hear, Click Click Clickciclkckcc.. lol
I know their laughing in the tank!!
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