I hear clicking, Mantis shrimp?

hoginme · 08-23-2001, 02:23 AM

I keep hearing a clicking noise, I take it that means a mantis shrimp is in my tank. I tried to access the pest past articles but cant get in to see what I need to do. I heard looking for him at night with a red lense on the flashlight (sounds hard), or dipping the rock in a high salinity solution, if this is a way to do it- whats the salinity level of the water to be at? Any other solutions?

Thanks

Drew · 08-23-2001, 03:28 PM

Hi hoginme,

You may not have a mantis. It is quite possible you have a pistol shrimp instead. The first thing you have to do is determine which you have, and try to get a general idea of where it is. Then, if it is a mantis, you can try to get it out.

Drew

[ 08-23-2001: Message edited by: Drewman ]

cath · 08-23-2001, 03:53 PM

Hey hoginme!

I hear a clicking noise in mine too. And I've actually seen a critter of some sort gathering up crushed coral to turn a cave into it's lair/home

Kinda think it's a pistol shrimp, but something in my tank has eaten 2 fish (firefish goby and a royal gramma)

Though I've not tried it yet, I have heard several people say that using a flashlight covered with red celophane to peek at your tank a couple hours after lights out provides quite a display.

I'll try the flashlight trick this weekend if you will

hoginme · 08-23-2001, 04:21 PM

Thanks for the response. Cath I will try the flshlight trick for the next few nights and let you know if I find anything. I also found a small crab, cant really get a good look at him though hes about the size of a nickle. Could this be the noise? Should I try and remove him?

cath · 08-23-2001, 11:24 PM

Hmmm...I kinda think the crab is not the guilty party. What do you think, Drew? IMHO, I'd get rid of the crab. I did have one, no doubt it started out small, but when I pulled him out of the tank, it was the size of a infant's fist.

Hitchhiker crabs are an arguable point. You might want to get other opinions.

Alice · 08-24-2001, 02:23 AM

IMO crabs are always suspect. Even the so-called "good crabs" can cause problems. We all know that hermit crabs eat snails but Sally Lightfoots get huge and will eat corals and unwary small fish if they can catch them. Emerald crabs turn omnivore rather than just herbivore when they reach adult size.

There are some very small commensal crabs that are quite interesting but I watched a hitchhiker filter-feeding crab (with the "fans" on its claws) rip apart some Xenia and some star polyps so I think they're all pretty much opportunistic feeders and can all be trouble.

Alice

cavil · 08-24-2001, 02:46 AM

There is an easy way to tell the difference between a mantis shrimp and pistol shrimp. Just listen to the clicks.

If the clicking is in paterns of 1-3 (2 being the most common) i.e. click, click ... click ... click click ... and so on, then it is most likely a pistol shrimp and nothing to worry about - I have had one in my tank since startup with no ill effects, except for that my tank is in my bedroom and sometimes I don't get much sleep

But if the clicking is continuous for over 5 (maybe even 10) clicks, then sorry to say this buddy, you most likely have a mantis

I would say that since you've had some fish deaths and have clicking nosies then the probability is pretty high for you having a mantis ...

Hunt it down and give it to someone that really wants one

Alice · 08-24-2001, 12:52 PM

Welcome to The Reef Tank, Cavil!

hoginme · 08-24-2001, 06:23 PM

The clicking noise is just in one or two clicks at a time, sometimes three. Does anyone have a site I can look at to see what a pistol shrimp looks like?

Thanks

FishDaddy · 08-24-2001, 06:56 PM

Hoginme,
Here is the definitive website about Mantis Shrimp: http://www.blueboard.com/mantis/
HTH,
Dick

cath · 08-24-2001, 07:01 PM

Alice-

Thanks for the additional info about crab sounds. I was so focused on mantis vs pistol shrimps, I failed to think about the sounds that crabs can make. Begging your pardon

Alice · 08-25-2001, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Begging your pardon

Negative perspiration, girlfriend!

So now clue yet as to the mysterious clicker in your tank either?

~Alice

cath · 08-25-2001, 11:04 AM

Nary a clue, Alice. Now I have to prioritize what to do first on my tank. Kinda like housework

only this is more fun.

Hmmm mebbe that's a new topic for discussion