How to catch a Mantis

[Billyreef-ita]

Hello everybody,
I do believe I have a Mantis in my thank, I can hear the typical punch they do from time to time. At the same time I’m having unreasonable death of shrimps and small fishes. I think it’s the mantis. Unfortunatelly I cannot see where it’s hidden. Is there a way to catch it or another way to neutralize it?
Thanks

 

[Ron Reefman]

Good luck!

I caught one in the wild last Spring and it's been a good citizen in my 40g breeder aio tank. I'd suggest removing all the fish to a different holding tank and then stop feeding the tank with the mantis. At the same time, set up a fish trap. After a week or so, put some meaty food in the trap and see if the mantis will go for it.

I only see mine when I feed the tank. And it hasn't bothered my clowns, sea cucumber or urchins.

 

[Quintin]

Hello everybody,
I do believe I have a Mantis in my thank, I can hear the typical punch they do from time to time. At the same time I’m having unreasonable death of shrimps and small fishes. I think it’s the mantis. Unfortunatelly I cannot see where it’s hidden. Is there a way to catch it or another way to neutralize it?
Thanks

Pistol shrimp also make a clicking sound.
Easy way to know if it’s a pistol shrimp or mantis by sound alone is the consecutive number of clicks. A pistol will only click once, as they need time to reload the tension, while a mantis can have several consecutive clicks.

It’s also not going to go after your fish, but it will definitely reduce your clean up crew over time - snails and crabs depending on how big it is.

 

[Billyreef-ita]

Good luck!

I caught one in the wild last Spring and it's been a good citizen in my 40g breeder aio tank. I'd suggest removing all the fish to a different holding tank and then stop feeding the tank with the mantis. At the same time, set up a fish trap. After a week or so, put some meaty food in the trap and see if the mantis will go for it.

I only see mine when I feed the tank. And it hasn't bothered my clowns, sea cucumber or urchins.

Thanks Ron!

 

[Delatedlotus]

The Easiest Way to Catch Any Fish or Shrimp

Dollar Store Trap, This works like no other way I have ever seen. I made my first one some 30 plus years ago. Stepped on my last one I had it for about 18 years. When I made one out of a pink plastic jar, they did not like the color I found out fast. So I made a new one, you to can catch any...

www.reef2reef.com