mantis

[keene1981]

i can hear taping on the glass light's on and off. can not see a shrimp 2 to 3 tap's at a time and i can see small bug like thing's on the sub rock vary new to salt water

 

[Boomer]

Two to three taps at a time are usually the sign of a Pistol shrimp

 

[Brenden]

"bug like things" are prob pods. I agree with Bommer (prob a pistol) Watch the rocks closely when you feed and also a flashlight scan a few hours after lights out may reveal the culprite.

 

[keene1981]

i have looked for a week or so but can not see it :?

 

[Brenden]

i have looked for a week or so but can not see it :?

You will get no pity from me. It took me 4 months to find one of mine. Grated I was looking for it in over a half ton of rock.

 

[keene1981]

time is the game :| i will keep looking

 

[Brenden]

You could also set a trap if you have a general idea of where it may be. If you have a lot of snails or hermits this may cause more stress than anything. Have you tried any late night flashlight patrols? Pistols and mantis and expert hiders. I looked for one forever then one day he just started digging a new tunnel right on top of a rock in plain view.

 

[keene1981]

it tip's in the day tmie ?

 

[Brenden]

Yes but they are skittish and more likely to come out and roam the tank at night.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Used to get them often in Carribean rock. I found they get VERY tempted by cocktail shrimp and will come out of their cave to have a good lunch. Once they get used to the treat, that is when the trap or spear gets used.

 

[fishinchick]

one night I kept hearing tapping... on and on and on. I looked everywhere and couldnt see a thing. I was SURE it was a mantis.

Then my 15 year old pointed out that the return line was battering a snail on the glass that had been holding on for dear life. His shell was going 'tap tap tap tap .... tap tap .... tap tap tap tap tap'.

That reminds me, if it IS a mantis, watch your hermits and snails. If you see a pile of damaged/busted shells and your cleanup crew population dwindling - you'll know that it's not a pistol shrimp.