First Post-Mystery critter.

NeoSeaWolf · 06-03-2006, 05:22 PM

First off, let me thank all of you for posting so much useful information.

I've set up a 30 gallon tank about three months ago (pics to come).
Thus far I have only about 15lbs of live rock on a 4 inch live sand bed.
I have three small chromis and a yellow/organge colored damsel (with lots of personality). Most of the live rock from my LFS was of poor quality -more accurately, barely alive rock. I did get a two pound piece from another LFS that is just teeming with critters and coraline algae. It has some kind of small anemone, some blue cylindrical rotifer type organism, lots of tube worms, small tunicates, and other stuff. In the last week I've been hearing a distinct clicking sound from my tank (I thought it was my lighting fixture flexing from the heat). Today, a mystery- I was admiring the truly alive rock. My turbo snail was scavenging upon it, when lo and behold, out of a hole in the rock pops out a claw of some sort and starts snapping

(making the distinct click).Looks like a crab claw but its too long for a crab. Whatever it was was protecting its hole/territory.
What the heck is in there? Anyone have an idea? -Martin

Gina · 06-03-2006, 05:25 PM

Sounds like a Mantis or maybe Pistol Shrimp?

lcstorc · 06-03-2006, 05:26 PM

Welcome to RS.

First thought is Mantis, but can you post a pic?
They are invaluable in the ID process.

Peace
Lynn

Gina · 06-03-2006, 05:28 PM

Here is some info I found for you.

Mantis Shrimp

Pistol Shrimp

NeoSeaWolf · 06-03-2006, 08:23 PM

Thanks for the quick reply. I looked up info on both Mantis and Trigger Shrimp. Not sure its either. Tried to take a photo, but the sneaky claw is too quick. I just get a quick glimpse of it and back into the hole it goes.
The Mantis seems to have more of a club. This thing definitely has a claw, looks very much like a crab claw. I shot a MPEG of it, but I think the file is too large to post. I've posted it at youtube.com

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUeqbWTzv04
The critter comes out towards the end of the clip.
I look foward to your input.

reefjitsu · 06-03-2006, 09:08 PM

I vote pistol shrimp.

dragonladylea · 06-03-2006, 09:37 PM

I agree with it probably being a Pistol Shrimp. Just a little guy from the looks of it. I have two one approx 1/2 inch and one approx 3 inches (different tanks). Enjoy they really are entertaining critters.

XBwlr · 06-04-2006, 12:38 AM

Where is the rock from?

Could be a spearing type of mantis.

XBwlr · 06-04-2006, 12:42 AM

Here's a pic of a pistol I took out of my tank...
I didn't see a claw like that come out of the hole.

Hope this helps a little...

Woodstock · 06-04-2006, 12:51 AM

Probably a pistol shrimp. I was having the same 'clicking noise' not too long ago...
Pistol or Mantis?

Here are the two pistol shrimps that I removed from my tank.. The clicking noise that came from these little fellas was astounding!

NeoSeaWolf · 06-04-2006, 04:51 PM

YEah, I think I'm convinced its a pistol shrimp from those photos.
Thats the same claw. Sneaky though, havent seen him come out, even last night watching under moon lights and even using a flashlight. Just glimpses of the claw. Any way to lure the critter out? Maybe I'll just leave it alone. Not sure he/she has enough to eat though. I appreciete all the replies.

06-03-2006, 05:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
NeoSeaWolf Tunicate Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Oakland, California Posts: 17 View Gallery Karma Komment	First Post-Mystery critter. First off, let me thank all of you for posting so much useful information. I've set up a 30 gallon tank about three months ago (pics to come). Thus far I have only about 15lbs of live rock on a 4 inch live sand bed. I have three small chromis and a yellow/organge colored damsel (with lots of personality). Most of the live rock from my LFS was of poor quality -more accurately, barely alive rock. I did get a two pound piece from another LFS that is just teeming with critters and coraline algae. It has some kind of small anemone, some blue cylindrical rotifer type organism, lots of tube worms, small tunicates, and other stuff. In the last week I've been hearing a distinct clicking sound from my tank (I thought it was my lighting fixture flexing from the heat). Today, a mystery- I was admiring the truly alive rock. My turbo snail was scavenging upon it, when lo and behold, out of a hole in the rock pops out a claw of some sort and starts snapping (making the distinct click).Looks like a crab claw but its too long for a crab. Whatever it was was protecting its hole/territory. What the heck is in there? Anyone have an idea? -Martin

06-03-2006, 05:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
Gina Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,832 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: First Post-Mystery critter. Sounds like a Mantis or maybe Pistol Shrimp? __________________ Gina and Mark's 75 Visit Our Sponsors Gina's Cube Gina

06-03-2006, 05:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 20,744 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: First Post-Mystery critter. Welcome to RS. First thought is Mantis, but can you post a pic? They are invaluable in the ID process. Peace Lynn __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

06-03-2006, 05:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
Gina Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,832 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: First Post-Mystery critter. Here is some info I found for you. Mantis Shrimp Pistol Shrimp __________________ Gina and Mark's 75 Visit Our Sponsors Gina's Cube Gina

06-03-2006, 08:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
NeoSeaWolf Tunicate Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Oakland, California Posts: 17 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: First Post-Mystery critter. Thanks for the quick reply. I looked up info on both Mantis and Trigger Shrimp. Not sure its either. Tried to take a photo, but the sneaky claw is too quick. I just get a quick glimpse of it and back into the hole it goes. The Mantis seems to have more of a club. This thing definitely has a claw, looks very much like a crab claw. I shot a MPEG of it, but I think the file is too large to post. I've posted it at youtube.com Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUeqbWTzv04 The critter comes out towards the end of the clip. I look foward to your input.

06-03-2006, 09:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
reefjitsu Plate Coral Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The Magic City Posts: 748 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: First Post-Mystery critter. I vote pistol shrimp. __________________ You can't give up hope just because it's hopeless. You got to keep on hoping and cover your ears and go "blah blah blah blah"- Futurama

06-03-2006, 09:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
dragonladylea Star Polyps Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 172 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: First Post-Mystery critter. I agree with it probably being a Pistol Shrimp. Just a little guy from the looks of it. I have two one approx 1/2 inch and one approx 3 inches (different tanks). Enjoy they really are entertaining critters. __________________ Dragonladylea When I have learned everything bury me! 55 reef - 5 nano Flame Angel, GSM Clown, Orange spot goby, Green Mandarin, Double-shot Pistol Shrimp and asst SPS, LPS, Clams, Softies and Inverts.

06-04-2006, 12:38 AM	#8 (permalink)
XBwlr Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Kingston, Ohio Posts: 1,135 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: First Post-Mystery critter. Where is the rock from? Could be a spearing type of mantis. __________________ ~Scott

06-04-2006, 12:42 AM	#9 (permalink)
XBwlr Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Kingston, Ohio Posts: 1,135 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: First Post-Mystery critter. Here's a pic of a pistol I took out of my tank... I didn't see a claw like that come out of the hole. Hope this helps a little... __________________ ~Scott

06-04-2006, 12:51 AM	#10 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 23,586 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: First Post-Mystery critter. Probably a pistol shrimp. I was having the same 'clicking noise' not too long ago... Pistol or Mantis? Here are the two pistol shrimps that I removed from my tank.. The clicking noise that came from these little fellas was astounding!

06-04-2006, 04:51 PM	#11 (permalink)
NeoSeaWolf Tunicate Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Oakland, California Posts: 17 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: First Post-Mystery critter. YEah, I think I'm convinced its a pistol shrimp from those photos. Thats the same claw. Sneaky though, havent seen him come out, even last night watching under moon lights and even using a flashlight. Just glimpses of the claw. Any way to lure the critter out? Maybe I'll just leave it alone. Not sure he/she has enough to eat though. I appreciete all the replies.

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