Trying to catch a Mantis...HELP!!!!

[ckusnierek]

Ok for about 6 months now I have thought I have a mantis. But I'm Not sure... I do hear a clicking from time to time. but to me it doesnot sound like a mantis. It mostly happens right when the lights go out and sometimes during the day. I have always attributed it to the canopy creeking as it heats and cools. and I have seen hermits fighting snails and the shells tapping aganist the glass. I have also lost 6 tangs with no trace of a carcus... But I have lost no other fish at all! I put a homade trap in a few days ago and every morning I have caught my cleaner shrimp and the emerald crab! but no mantis. Do I even have one??? The trap I'm using is a pop bottle with the spout cut off and inverted. I look at this tank for at leat a hour a day everyday and probally 3-4 times a week with a flashlight after the lights go out and I have never seen it. How elusive are these things???

The reason I'm not sure if I have one is I have only lost tangs no other fish and I have never seen it in 6 months. I have also pulled the LR 3 times now during aquascaping and all the LR I have came from a very maticulas LFS that "prides" themself on pest free LR.

Any suggestions????

[Mizer67]

How big were the tangs and what other fish do you have? It seems unlikely that a mantis would take down a decent size (and quick) tang and pass other smaller slower fish in the process. It is kind of curious that the tangs completely disappear like that. At least your cleanup crew is working.
Have you tried a red flashlight for a little night recon?