Possible Shrimp??

Discussion in 'Inverts' started by trijam, Jan 26, 2011.

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  1. trijam

    trijam Coral Banded Shrimp

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    At night and only at night with only moonlights running I hear a clicking noise from the tank. At first (about 2 months now) I thought I was hearing things.. getting old and all.. but I haven't been able to see anything as of yet. Is it possible I could have a mantis or pistol shrimp in there. Recently 2 of my trochus snails were running around naked without shells for a couple days before they died. Coincidentally their shells were side by side on the same rock where I hear the clicking coming from. :angry::confused:
     
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  3. TheSaltwaterGuy

    TheSaltwaterGuy Banned

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    clicking? could be very possible: most likely a mantis or pistol. if your fish are still alive it may be a pistol because mantis shrimp will kill fish most of the time
     
  4. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    It is possible, might be something else also.
     
  5. mvp

    mvp Astrea Snail

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    sounds like a smasher mantis shrimp. probably smashing away at your live rock or crushing some shells. mantis shrimps do block their caves up with shells. these guys are live rock hitchhikers and are nearly impossible to get rid of.
     
  6. Stonefish13

    Stonefish13 Flamingo Tongue

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    I wouldn't be surprised if it was a mantis. The clicking will definitely be more prominent at night. Some mantis are very pretty. Try baiting a trap with something meaty at night and set it near where you believe the shrimp is. If you don't want it maybe someone else will. Good luck.
     
  7. TheSaltwaterGuy

    TheSaltwaterGuy Banned

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    also look for holes that werent originally in your LR; smasher mantis shrimp will just drill away
     
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  9. trijam

    trijam Coral Banded Shrimp

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    Would mantis shrimp be able to make a snail leave it's shell by pounding on it? Because I've lost two in this past week as I mentioned above.:angry::(:cry:
     
  10. stepho

    stepho Panda Puffer

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    What do you mean by make a snail leave its shell? Snails can't voluntarily leave their shell, but a mantis will certainly eat a snail out of its shell.

    If you are finding empty shells that doesn't mean you have a mantis, anything could kill the snails, and other snails, crabs, worms, pods will clean it out. If you are finding broken shells around a hole under in the live rock or near a hole in the live rock that most likely means you have a mantis.

    If you do find that you have a mantis I suggest setting up a 5-10gal for it. They require very little care and are quite interesting to watch. Much more interesting than a couple snails ;)