Baby Mantis

oceanicmike

oceanicmike

Member
I just noticed a small creature lurking under one of my live rocks. I'm 99% sure it is a small or baby mantis. Roughly about an inch long. Quick little son of a B. All my fish, shrimp and cuc are alive and well but I have a feeling its only a matter of time before they start to disappear. I want to get it out of the tank asap. I can see where he hangs out under this one live rock but not sure if this is his "home." I do notice him moving a lot of sand around under this rock like he is making a lair. I want to remove that rock but not sure if he will scurry out into another one when I pick it up. Any suggestions? I read about those so called mantis traps but do they really work? Haven't tried anything yet. Thanks for your input

-Mike
 
ReefApprentice

ReefApprentice

Well-Known Member
Try taking out that "home" rock and giving it it short FW dip and if he is still in the rock he will scurry out. It would help a lot if you could get a picture. Another tip is to try a trap and train him that if he goes in the trap he gets food. Do it for about a week or until he is trained and then one day activate it while he is in it and bam you caught him! I would recommend keeping because they make a great and very interesting species tank.
 
theplantman

theplantman

Active Member
If you do catch him, keep him safe. I am sure someone here would be happy to pay shipping costs for him and take him off your hands. Good Luck
 
Bearjohnson

Bearjohnson

Well-Known Member
PREMIUM
RS Ambassador
Not sure where you are in NJ but if you get him I live in NJ as well. If you are looking to unload him I have a 40 breeder I've been dieing to get wet :clink:
 
oceanicmike

oceanicmike

Member
Attempt one failed. I pulled out the rock and he must have snuck out through the bottom. Now I will have no idea where his new hiding place will be. I guess its back to a waiting game.
 
oceanicmike

oceanicmike

Member
Ok so I put the rock that he was hiding in back in the tank. About 15 minutes later I see him back in the same rock like he is mocking me. This time I'm going to have some help. I get my gf involved who was thrilled btw. She quickly grabs the rock as I put two nets under it and pulls it out of the tank. After sitting the rock in a bucket of fresh water over night and no sign of it I decided I have to sacrifice the rock. After dissecting the rock "carefully" with a hammer, finally out came the mantis. RIP little guy. What a fiasco.
 
Bearjohnson

Bearjohnson

Well-Known Member
PREMIUM
RS Ambassador
To bad you killed him. I would have traded you some rock for your rock with the mantis.
 
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