Add mantis to fuge?

Nlangan · 01/31/2010, 02:41 PM

I set up a large fuge in a 40 Gallon breeder, the idea being to grow pods for a future Mandarin and also to export nutrients by growing macro. The live rock I put in turned out to be full of gorilla crabs. At first I though they were cute. Then I realized they were eating all my macro. That's when I began killing them. Traps didn't work. Waiting patiently, then stabbing the first one to show itself with a rusty screwdriver worked reasonably well. I've probably done in around 20 but there is just an endless supply coming out of that rock. Mostly what I see now are these tiny buggers that hide really well. I started out with 5 kinds of macro but they've eaten almost all of the 2 kinds they like best. They haven't touched the Valonia, of course.

So here is my idea - how about putting a mantis in there? It can keep the crab population under control for me. My concern is do mantis shrimp also ate algae or pods? Anyone else try this for crabs?

01/31/2010, 02:41 PM	#1
Nlangan Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 98	Add mantis to fuge? I set up a large fuge in a 40 Gallon breeder, the idea being to grow pods for a future Mandarin and also to export nutrients by growing macro. The live rock I put in turned out to be full of gorilla crabs. At first I though they were cute. Then I realized they were eating all my macro. That's when I began killing them. Traps didn't work. Waiting patiently, then stabbing the first one to show itself with a rusty screwdriver worked reasonably well. I've probably done in around 20 but there is just an endless supply coming out of that rock. Mostly what I see now are these tiny buggers that hide really well. I started out with 5 kinds of macro but they've eaten almost all of the 2 kinds they like best. They haven't touched the Valonia, of course. So here is my idea - how about putting a mantis in there? It can keep the crab population under control for me. My concern is do mantis shrimp also ate algae or pods? Anyone else try this for crabs? __________________ Hench 4 Life Current Tank Info: Peaceful mixed reef, 100 g DT, basement sump w/ 40 g fuge, MSX-250, 2x250 w MH lumen bright, GEO 618, RKE runs the show.