Mantis shrimp from live rock

[fishface NJ]

I had one until recently. He came as a newborn in my live rock from the ocean. He was harmless for 2 years. Then my small 3 fishes disappeared within 1 week and my 2 large wrasses had stab wound in the center of their bodies. I finally caught him as he ducked into one of my live rocks. Took the live rock and mantis to the garbage. No problems since.

 

[CMMorgan]

I had one until recently. He came as a newborn in my live rock from the ocean. He was harmless for 2 years. Then my small 3 fishes disappeared within 1 week and my 2 large wrasses had stab wound in the center of their bodies. I finally caught him as he ducked into one of my live rocks. Took the live rock and mantis to the garbage. No problems since.

Clearly, that mantis did not get the memo that you were from Jersey. We know people. I hope the wrasses made it.

How's it going with you? Are you ready for hurricane season? (Are we ever?) Feels like it's going to be a rough one.

 

[Matt Carden]

They may reappear. My melanurus wrasse disappears for days sometimes. I have at least 2 mantis from gulf live rock but I am only worried about snails and hermits

I have had that happen before 6 weeks later he showed up. Was a Melanarus too

 

[fishface NJ]

Clearly, that mantis did not get the memo that you were from Jersey. We know people. I hope the wrasses made it.

How's it going with you? Are you ready for hurricane season? (Are we ever?) Feels like it's going to be a rough one.

I'm doing great! I'm never ready for hurricane season. I think we may have a bad one again.

How is your tank? You haven't had an update in a loooong time.

 

[alpenreef]

I had not considered the urchin. I have one - but Herman is enormous. TBH, he is a bit big for my IM - 80 but he is very entertaining and does a great job. I do fear for my conchs but I guess time will tell. They tend to keep to the sides and Gonzo appears to be setting up shop in the middle.
You have a lot more real estate than I do, but I'm glad it has worked out for you. I think I'm just going to roll with watch and observe for a while. If it appears to become a problem, I'll look into setting up a cube. I live in Florida and Hurricanes are a real threat, so I would rather not be responsible for multiple tanks (again) if I do not have to. This will definitely make me think twice about adding any small wrasse to the family right now though. Hopefully my royal gramma stays out of harms way. Good luck with the dragonet.

I have several wrasses and 2 diamond gobies who are in the sand all the time. I don’t worry about their safety. The mandarin was my fault, he was tiny and a perfect target. I still have 6 or so other urchins, they are all bigger and he seems to leave them be.

 

[Matt Carden]

They may reappear. My melanurus wrasse disappears for days sometimes. I have at least 2 mantis from gulf live rock but I am only worried about snails and hermits

I got a Fairy Wrasse, can't remember specific species about 4 months ago and same thing disappeared after 1 or 2 days never showed back up.