Lionfish Lair
Renee
Smaller fish often disappear without a trace.
HELP.........what is this that is possibly eating my fish!!
- Thread starter Rabi51
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Following and welcome to the forum! There is always someone on here that will solve the problem! I would go out and buy a glass jar and a funnel with a 1" opening. Put a clam inside of the jar and then super glue the funnel to the jar using locktight gel so that the mantis/worm can go in and then won't come out. This is has worked in the past and please do send to @twilliard so we can see the research around this awsome creature!
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Rabi51
Community Member
My only problem is the fact that I have never in the last 2 weeks ever seen this thing move from the place where it sits. So I can get the jar and funnel that you speak of, but I bet I won't catch anything.
But I will keep everyone posted as days go by and if I do ever find out just exactly what it is, I will be sure to tell of that also.
Hmm that's super odd! The pest I had stayed in the rocks and never moved either but I would see pieces of dead fish in front of the spot he was every morning that wasn't there when I went to sleep. I watched a documentary of a bobbit worm and they literally stay in the same spot and only strike with half their body t the prey if it comes within x inches from their hiding spot. Could be a similar hunting method with this amazing creature
A quick check to see if it's stationary or free to move around use a turkey baster and reach on in and see if it moves or just closes up. If it's a worm it will retract further if it's a bivalve it will simply close up.
erinmegan85
Well-Known Member
Wow that thing is creepy! Hope someone is able to help you with an ID!
Lionfish Lair
Renee
I don't think it's a mantis, because of the shell/object involved. Sometimes a mantis does make doors and what not to their caves, but they hole them up when they are going inside for the night, not when they are startled and in a dash to escape.
It also closes exactly the same in both videos.
It also closes exactly the same in both videos.
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Lionfish Lair
Renee
Maybe this will help. Slow mo of it closing up.
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Rabi51
Community Member
Well, I did the turkey baster thing to see just what it does and it does not move from it's place. Yes, it does appear to come out further but that is because this cover type thing comes out around it and snaps shut.
Depending upon which picture or video people are looking at, I can see why some think it might be a Mantis shrimp - but I question this? I am thinking more along the lines of some type of bi-valve too - and not a worm. I've looked at literally hundreds of images online and haven't seen it. I have two books left to go down through and have hopes to locate it yet.
Depending upon which picture or video people are looking at, I can see why some think it might be a Mantis shrimp - but I question this? I am thinking more along the lines of some type of bi-valve too - and not a worm. I've looked at literally hundreds of images online and haven't seen it. I have two books left to go down through and have hopes to locate it yet.
