How to do a Mantis trap?

arturoo1977 · Dec 30, 2019

Hi all, its official, I have a mantis shrimp in my new tank.
He should be hidden in one of the rocks I introduce few days ago.
Yesterday I heard a clicking noise and thought “dont think so, what are the odds?” Until I saw it today!
So, how can I build a trap to catch him?

AlexG · Dec 31, 2019

Mantis shrimp are pretty smart so catching them is not always easy. If you have located the home of the mantis it is likely they are watching you. Look for their eyes as they will normally like to watch what is going on in the tank. They have some of the best vision of any organism so they will see you long before you see them. Your LFS might have a mantis trap for rent or you could try to lure them out with a bottle trap. Cut the top off a water bottle and flip it so the top of the water bottle is like a funnel going into the bottle. Put some food in the bottle near the home of the mantis and see if it goes in for the food. If you know what rock they are hiding in then remove it and put it in the sump. They are really cool animals and small ones if they are smashers will generally leave fish alone and might occasionally take some snails or crabs if they cannot get another meal. If you don't want it I would call your LFS to see if they will take it or post on the mantis forum to see if anyone local to you is interested. Do you have any picture of the mantis?

Hemmdog · Dec 31, 2019

Are you sure it’s not a pistol shrimp? They are more likely to be making audible noises and in live rock ime.

arturoo1977 · Dec 31, 2019

Its a mantis 100% sure, I saw it yesterday. Very quickly and the popping eyes are characteristic. This is not of the pretty ones, its black in color, or too dark.
Anyways, I will try to catch him with a bottle trap. Not sure where it lives, but will place the trap near the spot I saw him.
Any suggestions on bait?

AlexG · Dec 31, 2019

A small piece of frozen fish foods like shrimp or mysis can work for a small mantis. Once they find a home they will generally stay in the same place most of the time. Might take a while to catch so be patient. Try moving the trap to different locations every day if you are not seeing any activity.

arturoo1977 · Dec 31, 2019

Sitting in living room I hear the fricking clicking noise.
I hope to build the trap tomorrow and place it overnight.

El_Guapo13 · Dec 31, 2019

Stick your finger in front of it. I hear they like to cuddle.

Jokes aside, I am just following to see you successfully catch it and whatever else comes after. You plan to take to a LFS or give it away, or heck even keep it in its own tank?

arturoo1977 · Dec 31, 2019

First I need to catch it! LOL
Dont know if one of my LFS would take it.
Keep it in a self tank, don’t think so, but will see.
I’ll keep you posted.

ATXBred · Jan 17, 2020

Did you have any luck?

LOVEROCK · Jan 17, 2020

Where this live rock come from ? The ocean ?

Malifry97 · Jan 17, 2020

arturoo1977 said:
First I need to catch it! LOL
Dont know if one of my LFS would take it.
Keep it in a self tank, don’t think so, but will see.
I’ll keep you posted.

Update?

arturoo1977 · Jan 17, 2020

I haven't placed the trap as clicking noise has stopped since a week ago aprox.
After my last post here I was kind of busy and couldn't set it up, but then... nothing...

arturoo1977 · Jan 17, 2020

LOVEROCK said:
Where this live rock come from ? The ocean ?

Not sure but very possible, a friend of mine ordered a very large amount for his tank, too may actually, and I take some to my tank.
All my setup was made with dryrock so, he came in one of those.

MichaelReefer · Jan 17, 2020

arturoo1977 said:
Not sure but very possible, a friend of mine ordered a very large amount for his tank, too may actually, and I take some to my tank.
All my setup was made with dryrock so, he came in one of those.

I wouldn't think it could live in dryrock?