RED MANTIS SHRIMP APPEARED

[TonyCagg]

When I set up my tank I add sand and rock from Tampa Bay Saltwater.

It’s been 5 months since the last time I added sand from them.

For the first time ever I spotted a red mantis shrimp dart across my tank and hide in the rocks.

After a few minutes he poked his head out. I got a good look but couldn’t get a pic.

He is about an inch or so long.

Any of you guys have any experience, thoughts or suggestions on this one?

All new to me…

 

[wasabi bean]

What else do you have in the tank? As they are predators i believe so you might need to find a way to trap it to rehome it or move it to its own tank?

 

[Reef Jedi]

I have 5 of them in my tank. Super cool little critters. They don’t really bother much but are super cool to look at. I feed mine with fresh clams from the store. Soak em and let the shell crack a little so they sink.

 

[TonyCagg]

I have a pile of hermits and snails of all sorts. Blood shrimp, Coral Banded Shrimp, Pistol shrimp and Emerald crabs.

Its about and inch long or so, having seen it again since this morning but not surprised, considering its the first time I’ve ever seen it and it has to have been in the tank for months now.

 

[serval]

One came on TBS rock into my tank as well. It’s was small at first but is fully grown now at about 3”. I have tried trapping it but have failed. I sometimes feed it pieces of krill and I have to replenish my Astraea snails monthly because she eats them. She has an extensive tunnel system in the tank. We have a nervous respect for each other. Lol.

 

[steveschuerger]

I’ve had Mantis in 3 different tanks as hitchhikers from live rock. They’re neat little critters . For whatever reason they generally haven’t lived much past the 7-8th month . Right now I have a small slightly less than an inch mantis that came the rocks I got for the new tank in January.

 

[serval]

I’ve had Mantis in 3 different tanks as hitchhikers from live rock. They’re neat little critters . For whatever reason they generally haven’t lived much past the 7-8th month . Right now I have a small slightly less than an inch mantis that came the rocks I got for the new tank in January.

When they die, do you find the body or does the clicking just cease? Mine has been in the tank 8 months, so we will see if she continues!

 

[steveschuerger]

When they die, do you find the body or does the clicking just cease? Mine has been in the tank 8 months, so we will see if she continues!

Tank just went silent. The one in the 90 lasted long enough that I named it—Master of Bugs

 

[serval]

When they die, do you find the body or does the clicking just cease? Mine has been in the tank 8 months, so we will see if she continues!

Tank just went silent. The one in the 90 lasted long enough that I named it—Master of Bugs

I call mine “The Bug” as well.

 

[logibear]

I had probably 7-8 come in on my TBS rock. I was able to get almost all of them out by just taking its rock out but I have at least one that I know of that lives in this little hole. Never see it but hear it. Probably killing snails here and there but otherwise wouldn’t know it was even there otherwise.

 

[serval]

I had probably 7-8 come in on my TBS rock. I was able to get almost all of them out by just taking its rock out but I have at least one that I know of that lives in this little hole. Never see it but hear it. Probably killing snails here and there but otherwise wouldn’t know it was even there otherwise.

Mine has gotten bold. It’s in a 40 gal tank, so there are no large, predatory fish present. Maybe she feels safe. I sometimes see her running around during the day, trying to dislodge a snail. She’s very quick. Other times, I’ll be staring at the tank and then I’ll notice these two bug eyes looking at me.

 

[mr frogfish]

When I set up my tank I add sand and rock from Tampa Bay Saltwater.

It’s been 5 months since the last time I added sand from them.

For the first time ever I spotted a red mantis shrimp dart across my tank and hide in the rocks.

After a few minutes he poked his head out. I got a good look but couldn’t get a pic.

He is about an inch or so long.

Any of you guys have any experience, thoughts or suggestions on this one?

All new to me…

Did you see the claws? A speared or smasher? That can help your future stocking list.

 

[Reef Jedi]

I call mine “The Bug” as well.

My wife calls them all serpents lol

 

[Reef Jedi]

Did you see the claws? A speared or smasher? That can help your future stocking list.

99% of the ones that come in on TBS rock are smashers.

 

[serval]

“The Bug” is a smasher.

 

[TonyCagg]

When I set up my tank I add sand and rock from Tampa Bay Saltwater.

It’s been 5 months since the last time I added sand from them.

For the first time ever I spotted a red mantis shrimp dart across my tank and hide in the rocks.

After a few minutes he poked his head out. I got a good look but couldn’t get a pic.

He is about an inch or so long.

Any of you guys have any experience, thoughts or suggestions on this one?

All new to me…

Did you see the claws? A speared or smasher? That can help your future stocking list.

Didn’t get a look yet.

Seems like it saw me before I saw it and was already on the move.

I did have the remnants of a dead hermit crab floating around the tank the other day, so that may be a clue as well.
First time I’ve seen that as well

 

[mr frogfish]

When I set up my tank I add sand and rock from Tampa Bay Saltwater.

It’s been 5 months since the last time I added sand from them.

For the first time ever I spotted a red mantis shrimp dart across my tank and hide in the rocks.

After a few minutes he poked his head out. I got a good look but couldn’t get a pic.

He is about an inch or so long.

Any of you guys have any experience, thoughts or suggestions on this one?

All new to me…

Did you see the claws? A speared or smasher? That can help your future stocking list.

Didn’t get a look yet.

Seems like it saw me before I saw it and was already on the move.

I did have the remnants of a dead hermit crab floating around the tank the other day, so that may be a clue as well.
First time I’ve seen that as well

It looks to be a smasher from the photo. They will break open the exoskeleton of inverts and eat them. I’d recommend setting up a tank, and finding a way to move it to that. These guys make great pets!

 

[TonyCagg]

Photos isnt of the one in my tank though

 

[serval]

When I set up my tank I add sand and rock from Tampa Bay Saltwater.

It’s been 5 months since the last time I added sand from them.

For the first time ever I spotted a red mantis shrimp dart across my tank and hide in the rocks.

After a few minutes he poked his head out. I got a good look but couldn’t get a pic.

He is about an inch or so long.

Any of you guys have any experience, thoughts or suggestions on this one?

All new to me…

Did you see the claws? A speared or smasher? That can help your future stocking list.

Didn’t get a look yet.

Seems like it saw me before I saw it and was already on the move.

I did have the remnants of a dead hermit crab floating around the tank the other day, so that may be a clue as well.
First time I’ve seen that as well

Beware that, as it grows, it’ll need more snails and crabs. I run out every month and have to buy several more. Each Astraea costs a couple bucks (and I get these shipped), so Bug’s diet is somewhat expensive.
I thought perhaps I could supplement with krill, which does work. But then I read that mantis need to smash stuff to exercise their muscles (!). They can waste away otherwise. Does anyone know if this is true? I don’t have the source but it seemed reliable.

 

[mr frogfish]

Photos isnt of the one in my tank though

Oh. Well can you try to get one? I can Id it