Green Mantis Shrimp Confirmed

[jb61264]

OK...I'm sorry to start a different thread but now that I have absolutely confirmed I have a green mantis shrimp, I'd like to hear how I can capture this amazing creature and eliminate it from my tank. I just saw it a few minutes ago blowing out sand underneather one of my rocks on the edge of the tank. It is probably just at or under 1" in length total. I'm going to see if I can snap a picture...thing is, I've also seen it on another rock nearby so I'm sure it's setting up some sort of tunnel network underneath my rock...the easiest "access" to it would be where its at now.

I need some serious recommendations...don't have "alot" in my tank but don't want to lose what I do have (LMB, arrow crab, turbo snails).

[nudy6969]

take a tube, (pvc pipe) close one end, let it go inside, and then quickly plug the hole that it came in through. take the tube with the mantis out of the water and pour in into the toilet.

[SalteeDogg]

Originally Posted by nudy6969

take a tube, (pvc pipe) close one end, let it go inside, and then quickly plug the hole that it came in through. take the tube with the mantis out of the water and pour in into the toilet.

DO NOT POUR INTO TOILET! That would absolutely be the cruelest thing you could do! Your LFS would be more then happy to take it from you. Let us know the outcome.

[jb61264]

Originally Posted by nudy6969

take a tube, (pvc pipe) close one end, let it go inside, and then quickly plug the hole that it came in through. take the tube with the mantis out of the water and pour in into the toilet.

How do you coax the thing into the tube?

[jb61264]

Originally Posted by SalteeDogg

DO NOT POUR INTO TOILET! That would absolutely be the cruelest thing you could do! Your LFS would be more then happy to take it from you. Let us know the outcome.

No worries mate...I would never do such a thing. It may not be good for my tank long term, but I want to absolutely preserve it...I appreciate life in all forms and this little green mantis shrimp, as pesty as it might be, is absolutely fascinating.

[nudy6969]

bury the tube into the sand so only the opening end sticks out, take out all the live rock, the mantis will look for a place to hide and will have no choice but to crawl inside the pvc pipe, lift the pvc pipe out and cap the opening end, there should sill be water in there, then take it to ur local fish store while it is in the tube, the tube should be caped tight on both ends to prevent water escaping.

[nudy6969]

or u can ship it to me, in the tube

[jb61264]

OK...for anyone who might have ideas...the sighting tonight was in the lower left corner piece of rock of this picture...between the sand and the rock, shoveling sand out from underneath.

I think I will move the zooanthids to the other side of the tank tonight and then tomorrow and Wednesday move the two pieces on top of the large base rock that he is under...only problem is I've also seen him just to the left of this rock in another...so it's obviously building a little network under the rock in the sand.

I'll either have to lure him into something or gradually move the rocks on top and then when I'm ready, lift up the big rock and try to net him?...this sucks and at the same time is fun and fascinating...how could that be

[nudy6969]

http://www.divegallery.com/Mantis_Shrimp_.jpg

is that him

[jb61264]

Originally Posted by nudy6969

bury the tube into the sand so only the opening end sticks out, take out all the live rock, the mantis will look for a place to hide and will have no choice but to crawl inside the pvc pipe, lift the pvc pipe out and cap the opening end, there should sill be water in there, then take it to ur local fish store while it is in the tube, the tube should be caped tight on both ends to prevent water escaping.

Holy crap...I have 65 lbs of rock in my tank...I need to take it all out?