Is this a Mantis Shrimp?

399 Reef · Oct 13, 2018

the picture is not that great but this thing just started to show up. I’ve had the rock in the tank for 5 months now, and have never seen it before. It has made a home inside of one of the rocks and pulls small shells and rocks to fill up some of the entrances.

If it is a mantis shrimp, I’ve heard conflicting opinions as to whether they’re good or bad. I haven’t seen any damage that I would account to it, but I don’t want to take chances. If it is bad how do i catch it?

WV Reefer · Oct 13, 2018

399 Reef said:
the picture is not that great but this thing just started to show up. I’ve had the rock in the tank for 5 months now, and have never seen it before. It has made a home inside of one of the rocks and pulls small shells and rocks to fill up some of the entrances.

If it is a mantis shrimp, I’ve heard conflicting opinions as to whether they’re good or bad. I haven’t seen any damage that I would account to it, but I don’t want to take chances. If it is bad how do i catch it?

Looks like a mantis to me! Pretty cool hitchhiker.

Katrina71 · Oct 13, 2018

Me too

Joshua2598 · Oct 13, 2018

I do believe that is a mantis. Keep it if you want just beware the risk! I say make it's own tank!

NY_Caveman · Oct 13, 2018

Looks like a Mantis. Opportunistic predator, but usually very beautiful. Depends really on what else you have.

399 Reef · Oct 14, 2018

Thank you all

WV Reefer · Oct 14, 2018

399 Reef said:
Thank you all

You keeping it? Keep us updated.

wesman42 · Oct 14, 2018

I'd also be weary of having fingers in the tank. My LFS had a fully grown mantis and it took off someone's finger tip. Lol.

399 Reef · Oct 14, 2018

WV Reefer said:
You keeping it? Keep us updated.

Yes. It's pretty cool and very industrious to watch it making its home in the rock. I'll keep an eye on it and if I start seeing things disappear I'll have to try and catch it somehow.