Mantis Shrimp in our aquarium

[Conch Mama]

I'm new here and not sure if this is the correct thread to post this on. My son has a tank with live rock in it. We've discovered that two Mantis Shrimp came with the rocks. They have been killing the cleaner shrimp, hermit crabs, and I'm pretty sure the Hi Hat fish that has gone missing. Today I was watching the mantis and he pushed something that looks like a bug out of his whole in the rock. Is he trying to lure the fish over to his whole with the bug so he can eat our fish? He did this twice with two 'bugs'. I was able to get them with the net. My second question is - does anyone know what this bug looking thing is? I took a photo and not sure if it's clear enough to see what it is.

 

[Conch Mama]

Sorry these photos sent great. The bugs are in a plastic bag with a little water in them

 

[Conch Mama]

Last photo

 

[tgp4274]

looks like the molt from the shrimp to me...... just a thought..

 

[Naiad]

Just cleaning out remains from his hole. These look to be old parts from some critter possibly a worm

 

[Conch Mama]

Yuck! Lol! One thing I noticed before the mantis pushed it out it looked like its feet were brushing around it really really fast. It reminded me of a spider wrapping up it's catch.

 

[nezw0001]

I'm guessing they are remains of the mantis's molted shell

 

[AlexG]

I am not sure what that is but it does not look like a mantis molt. Typically a mantis shrimp will seal themselves into a rock or cave to molt and then eat the molt. It almost looks like parts of a predatory worm which can do more harm than a mantis. I would suggest removing the rock the mantis is in and try a freshwater dip for about 30 seconds as that might make it run out. If you do catch the mantis put it in the sump, a small tank, or take it to the LFS store. They are misunderstood critters and are on the same intelligence level as an octopus. I have kept several mantis shrimps before and they are one of the most interesting inverts to keep.

 

[Naiad]

@Lionfish Lair what do you think? My biggest concern would be that it is a eunice and not all of it got eaten by the shrimp. Multiple predatory creatures in this tank won't bode well for future inhabitants. I know...

 

[Conch Mama]

I am not sure what that is but it does not look like a mantis molt. Typically a mantis shrimp will seal themselves into a rock or cave to molt and then eat the molt. It almost looks like parts of a predatory worm which can do more harm than a mantis. I would suggest removing the rock the mantis is in and try a freshwater dip for about 30 seconds as that might make it run out. If you do catch the mantis put it in the sump, a small tank, or take it to the LFS store. They are misunderstood critters and are on the same intelligence level as an octopus. I have kept several mantis shrimps before and they are one of the most interesting inverts to keep.

My son and I looked at photos of a Bristle Worm. That is what it looks like to me. I need to go research it because I know nothing about them.

I agree with you. The mantis is VERY interesting to watch! I just wish he wasn't a threat to everyone else in the tank ;-)

 

[cobraz]

Just a thought .. were I did not see anyone say this. Do NOT pick a mantis shrimp with your hands. They can whip there claws at the speed of a bullet. Use a container or tweezers. Just want you to be safe.. I have been there in the past..scary little
guys.

 

[Conch Mama]

Just a thought .. were I did not see anyone say this. Do NOT pick a mantis shrimp with your hands. They can whip there claws at the speed of a bullet. Use a container or tweezers. Just want you to be safe.. I have been there in the past..scary little
guys.

Thank you! You don't have to worry about me bc I'm not touching it haha! But I will def pass that info into my son. We had two in the tank and he somehow got lucky and caught the other with a net. He has it in his quarantine tank now

 

[donnievaz]

My son and I looked at photos of a Bristle Worm. That is what it looks like to me. I need to go research it because I know nothing about them.

I agree with you. The mantis is VERY interesting to watch! I just wish he wasn't a threat to everyone else in the tank ;-)

That's not a run of the mill bristleworm. I'm thinking Eunicid...

Eunicid

Bristleworm

 

[Conch Mama]

That's not a run of the mill bristleworm. I'm thinking Eunicid...

Eunicid

Bristleworm

Yes! I totally agree!!! Looks like pieces of Eunicid! Thx!

 

[Conch Mama]

So if this is a Eunicid worm I'm hoping the Mantis took care of him for me! Could it still be alive in there and we not see it?

 

[donnievaz]

So if this is a Eunicid worm I'm hoping the Mantis took care of him for me! Could it still be alive in there and we not see it?

I'm thinking the Mantis would have to destroy the head to keep it from regenerating but I don't know for sure. Even then it may be able to regenerate a whole worm from a headless section. I'm getting creeped out just thinking about it...

 

[Conch Mama]

I'm thinking the Mantis would have to destroy the head to keep it from regenerating but I don't know for sure. Even then it may be able to regenerate a whole worm from a headless section. I'm getting creeped out just thinking about it...

I'm completely creeped out! Yuck! I do remember seeing a worm about 4 inches long a few months ago but I wasn't able to get a real good look at it.

 

[Naiad]

So if this is a Eunicid worm I'm hoping the Mantis took care of him for me! Could it still be alive in there and we not see it?

There is a possibility that some parts got away. In which case the worm will survive. Hopefully Renee comes by and can chime in. Not all eunice are trouble but some are. Until the mantis is out it is hard to rule out who is responsible for any casualties.

 

[Scottsquatch]

Ugh, those Eunicid worms are creepy. I hope the mantis took care of him for you.

 

[Conch Mama]

There is a possibility that some parts got away. In which case the worm will survive. Hopefully Renee comes by and can chime in. Not all eunice are trouble but some are. Until the mantis is out it is hard to rule out who is responsible for any casualties.

At this point I think I want to keep the Mantis in the tank and let them battle it out. I'm in the Mantis's corner! That worm had given me the creeps! This is actually my son's aquarium so I'm anxious to find out what he thinks!