Is this a mantis shrimp?

[adpuls34]

Hello!

I discovered this thing today going after one of my conches. I hear clicking sounds from the tank daily. I previously thought that it was snail shells against the glass. The only thing I can think it came in on was the live rock from the KP aquatics (which I inspected and did a 1.040 spec grav rinse). Seems pretty small for a mantis but I am pretty worried that it is. Thoughts?

 

[stumblinras]

My guess is pistol shrimp.

 

[JGT]

No, pistol shrimp.

 

[stumblinras]

Good or bad is subjective depending on what you want or don't want in your tank. Lol

 

[adpuls34]

No, pistol shrimp.

Good or bad is subjective depending on what you want or don't want in your tank. Lol

Well, it seemed to want to eat my conch. However it has been in there for awhile and has not harmed any trochus, turbo, or conch snail. All my fish are fine and corals too. What are the pros and cons?

 

[adpuls34]

What are the pros and cons? Fish, coral, and snails are all fine for months. What is the clicking from?

 

[JGT]

I have like 4 in my tank also from KP. Other than cleaning/ moving some sand and an occasional snail for a snack, they haven’t posed any probs. More interesting with them vs. without.

 

[Reefbuds]

I kind of want a pistol shrimp again. I sort of miss that loud pop every so often. Cool shrimp

 

[Hadla]

The clicking is just their defense I think. Was never interested in them. I don’t think they can harm anything.

 

[stumblinras]

 

[stumblinras]

That is the clicking sound you are hearing. Nature is ever amazing.

 

[Hadla]

I meant harm anything much bigger than themselves since they don’t seem to actively go after anything but their smaller prey. Mantises will continue to punch most of the time if they want to