What Is A Mantis Shrimp?

[Carol]

What is this guy that nobody seems to like? Why is he so bad? Where does he come from? Could I have one that just came in on the rock? I do have a hairy rock crab that I am still trying to figure out how to get.

[kestrel]

Mantis Shrimp are also called "thumb-splitters" for good reason. These are very efficient nocturnal predators that do come in with live rock. They typically start out very small in the rock, but quickly grow, thanks to a captive supply of food (i.e., your pets). They can grow quite large, continuing to hide in holes in the live rock. They have claws strong enough to dig/enlarge the holes as they grow and have been reported to be able to crack glass. At night they can sometimes be heard "clicking" or "thumping" as they hammer the rock.

HTH
Daryl

[Alice]

Carol,

Here's a link to a recent thread about Mantis shrimp:

http://www.thereeftank.com/forum/sho...&threadid=4945

If you search on this board for "mantis" you will find many threads about these voracious predators.

Alice

[fishinchick]

Thus you see why I dont want a "thumb splitter" roaming around in a tank that my kids reach into. Occasionally they like to have the chore of cleaning the sides and I want to take NO chances!

[Doug1]

Stomatapods are fascinating creatures but not reef friendly, need a species tank of their own

[FishDaddy]

Carol,
This site will tell you everything you'd ever want to know about Mantis:
http://www.blueboard.com/mantis/

Dick