Help with mantis!

nanofam · 01/22/2011, 05:30 PM

I pulled the big LR where I'm sure mantis lives and can't get him out! It's a big piece. So far I've shaken it, put it in water with sg 1.030 for 10 min, and dipped it in soda water. Right now it's sitting in a dry bucket. What next???? Help!

jiffy1990 · 01/22/2011, 06:10 PM

i couldnt get mine out for ****, till i broke the rock in half. i suggest cracking the rock and trying to break it where his cave is so he just falls out. =]

nanofam · 01/22/2011, 06:14 PM

How did you break the rock? Can I just use a hammer and chisel? If he hasn't vacated the dry rock by morning I think I'll try that next.

Misled · 01/22/2011, 06:17 PM

Mix non-flavored carbonated water to match the Sg and temp of the display. put the rock in it for 5 minutes. You can save the mantis if you have a small tank to put him in. The carbonated water won't kill him, just drive him out of the rock.

jiffy1990 · 01/22/2011, 06:17 PM

i had a hatch on the wall and i gave it one good wack... lol but a hammer and screw driver should work fine.. if he is a pretty one u could probably trade him in at ur local fish store..

jiffy1990 · 01/22/2011, 06:18 PM

hatchet*

nanofam · 01/22/2011, 06:22 PM

I tried the soda water dip with no luck! I do have a little mantis tank ready to go, so I don't want to harm him. Little bugger! I've been at this all day now...

Hammer and screwdriver if a night out of water doesn't do the trick... I have to rock suspended over water so he can drop right in.

olemiss reb · 01/22/2011, 06:28 PM

Raise salinity to 1.035+, 1.030 is not high enough to drive it out

ReefMan1111 · 01/22/2011, 06:28 PM

spray fresh water on the rock were the mantis is hiding it will jump out. it worked for me.

usatennisfan · 01/22/2011, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nanofam

I tried the soda water dip with no luck! I do have a little mantis tank ready to go, so I don't want to harm him. Little bugger! I've been at this all day now...

Hammer and screwdriver if a night out of water doesn't do the trick... I have to rock suspended over water so he can drop right in.

Try a homemade trap. Take an empty plastic bottle and cut the top off and put it back in upside down so that the nozzle now faces inside the bottle. Bait it and wait.

noahm · 01/22/2011, 06:57 PM

Are you positive he is in that rock? I would hate for you to be whacking away while he is laughing at you in the DT.

I would put the rock in the bucket with about 3/4" of water, and a small piece of 1/2" PVC and just leave it overnight. He'll come out eventually.

Girly Gears · 01/22/2011, 09:50 PM

Good luck! I would try the trap in the bucket, maybe after a day or so so it's good and hungry...

nanofam · 01/22/2011, 10:05 PM

I've got the rock in a bucket overnight.... Fingers crossed!

I fed the DT mysis just to make sure he wasn't in there someplace else. In a fit of rage earlier I did also treat my other big LR with the works too, but no luck there either. So I'm pretty sure he's hiding out in the one i've got.

great idea to put the trap in the bucket with the rock!

After leaving this rock out, am I ok to plop it back into the DT?

nanofam · 01/22/2011, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReefMan1111

spray fresh water on the rock were the mantis is hiding it will jump out. it worked for me.

If only.... I think it's just such a large rock that he's impervious to freshwater, soda water, etc.

jaystampareef · 01/22/2011, 10:09 PM

I would put the rock in a 5 gallon tank. Within a few days, you should see him come out sometime to eat. Once he is out, grab the rock. Then place the SOB on Craigslist for free. Someone will take him!

nanofam · 01/23/2011, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaystampareef

I would put the rock in a 5 gallon tank. Within a few days, you should see him come out sometime to eat. Once he is out, grab the rock. Then place the SOB on Craigslist for free. Someone will take him!

This was the original plan- but the rock is too big! Mantis tank ready and waiting if I could just get the little bugger out.... So far nothing in bucket.

jaystampareef · 01/23/2011, 07:54 AM

I'm guessing that you dont want to destroy such a large rock, either. Hmmm... if he is hiding far enough in the rock, he is pretty well protected.

I think that the best way to go withiot destroying the rock and everthing alive on it would be to put it in a rubbermaid bin large enough to hold with water and throw an airstone in there. Then set a trap for him. It will take time, but eventually, you'll get him.

usatennisfan · 01/23/2011, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nanofam

This was the original plan- but the rock is too big! Mantis tank ready and waiting if I could just get the little bugger out.... So far nothing in bucket.

Be patient. Mantis shrimp can go weeks without eating.

headless · 01/23/2011, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaystampareef

I would put the rock in a 5 gallon tank. Within a few days, you should see him come out sometime to eat. Once he is out, grab the rock. Then place the SOB on Craigslist for free. Someone will take him!

Too funny...they are like the piranha of the saltwater tank! Some love them while others don't!

If I had a small acrylic tank, I'd consider a mantis...they are an interesting species...however, I won't be dipping my hand in the tank for anything!

usatennisfan · 01/23/2011, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by headless

Too funny...they are like the piranha of the saltwater tank! Some love them while others don't!

If I had a small acrylic tank, I'd consider a mantis...they are an interesting species...however, I won't be dipping my hand in the tank for anything!

Meh, I've been hit in the hand by my 4 inch wennerae. Doesn't hurt too bad. Now a full grown peacock, on the other hand...? No thanks...

nanofam · 01/23/2011, 08:58 PM

Weeks without food? Great.....

Here's where I'm at now. I did another dip in carbonated saltwater with sg 1.035. A few worms exited, but that's it after 10 minutes!

So I decided to try Jay's suggestion. The rock is in my normal saltwater in a cooler with an airstone and the lid slightly ajar. I'll throw a trap in there in a few days when he might be a little hungry and hope for the best. (Plus that rock is now isolated, because I'm sure I'll get some die-off from my 24 hour no water attempt.)

I'm feeding the tank mysis and watching for him to make a surprise appearance from another rock just in case!!!

Any further ideas welcomed... Thank so much for all the help, I was going nuts and now at least I have a plan!

PS I no longer EVER reach into my tank bare-handed. Nice long rubber gloves for me! HAHAHA.

usatennisfan · 01/23/2011, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nanofam

PS I no longer EVER reach into my tank bare-handed. Nice long rubber gloves for me! HAHAHA.

It really isn't as bad as you would think; more of a shock than painful...

headless · 01/24/2011, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usatennisfan

It really isn't as bad as you would think; more of a shock than painful...

Yeah, but rubbing up against some bristle worms can be quite painful too...I use long rubber gloves, no need pain/dysfunction...I need my hands for work!

nanofam · 01/24/2011, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by headless

Yeah, but rubbing up against some bristle worms can be quite painful too...I use long rubber gloves, no need pain/dysfunction...I need my hands for work!

This is going to sound totally immature, but aside from potential coral stings (I have two Elegance) and getting whacked by a mantis, there's a mild ick-factor for me too... who knows what the heck is in there. This way I can concentrate on what I'm doing and not on what might bite me, whack me, sting me, or otherwise surprise me--like the time my shrimp decided to land on my arm and tickle me when I was scrubbing the glass and didn't know he was there!

That said, I am relieved to hear that if the mantis ever did get me, I might not actually die.

No sign of him this morning.... will attempt the trap maybe mid-week.

ritter6788 · 01/24/2011, 03:48 PM

This is a sticky at the top of the mantis shrimp forum.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1710644

Good luck...and please don't kill it.

01/22/2011, 05:30 PM	#1
nanofam Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 27	Help with mantis! I pulled the big LR where I'm sure mantis lives and can't get him out! It's a big piece. So far I've shaken it, put it in water with sg 1.030 for 10 min, and dipped it in soda water. Right now it's sitting in a dry bucket. What next???? Help!

01/22/2011, 06:17 PM	#4
Misled RC Mod Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Posts: 11,440 Blog Entries: 11	Mix non-flavored carbonated water to match the Sg and temp of the display. put the rock in it for 5 minutes. You can save the mantis if you have a small tank to put him in. The carbonated water won't kill him, just drive him out of the rock. __________________ Jesse I'm not saying I'm Batman. I'm just saying nobody has ever seen me and Batman in a room together.

01/22/2011, 06:28 PM	#8
olemiss reb Molon Labe Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,550	Raise salinity to 1.035+, 1.030 is not high enough to drive it out __________________ secesh

01/23/2011, 08:58 PM	#21
nanofam Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 27	Weeks without food? Great..... Here's where I'm at now. I did another dip in carbonated saltwater with sg 1.035. A few worms exited, but that's it after 10 minutes! So I decided to try Jay's suggestion. The rock is in my normal saltwater in a cooler with an airstone and the lid slightly ajar. I'll throw a trap in there in a few days when he might be a little hungry and hope for the best. (Plus that rock is now isolated, because I'm sure I'll get some die-off from my 24 hour no water attempt.) I'm feeding the tank mysis and watching for him to make a surprise appearance from another rock just in case!!! Any further ideas welcomed... Thank so much for all the help, I was going nuts and now at least I have a plan! PS I no longer EVER reach into my tank bare-handed. Nice long rubber gloves for me! HAHAHA. Last edited by nanofam; 01/23/2011 at 08:58 PM. Reason: typo

01/24/2011, 03:48 PM	#25
ritter6788 Say no to clove polyps Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Marshall, TX Posts: 1,374	This is a sticky at the top of the mantis shrimp forum. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1710644 Good luck...and please don't kill it. __________________ Gabriel Current Tank Info: 75 gallon mixed reef///40 breeder prop tank

01/22/2011, 06:10 PM	#2
jiffy1990 Moved On Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: tampa Posts: 46	i couldnt get mine out for ****, till i broke the rock in half. i suggest cracking the rock and trying to break it where his cave is so he just falls out. =]

01/22/2011, 06:14 PM	#3
nanofam Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 27	How did you break the rock? Can I just use a hammer and chisel? If he hasn't vacated the dry rock by morning I think I'll try that next.

01/22/2011, 06:18 PM	#6
jiffy1990 Moved On Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: tampa Posts: 46	hatchet*

01/22/2011, 06:22 PM	#7
nanofam Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 27	I tried the soda water dip with no luck! I do have a little mantis tank ready to go, so I don't want to harm him. Little bugger! I've been at this all day now... Hammer and screwdriver if a night out of water doesn't do the trick... I have to rock suspended over water so he can drop right in.

01/22/2011, 06:28 PM	#9
ReefMan1111 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: milton vt Posts: 139	spray fresh water on the rock were the mantis is hiding it will jump out. it worked for me.

01/22/2011, 06:57 PM	#11
noahm Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,736	Are you positive he is in that rock? I would hate for you to be whacking away while he is laughing at you in the DT. I would put the rock in the bucket with about 3/4" of water, and a small piece of 1/2" PVC and just leave it overnight. He'll come out eventually.

01/22/2011, 09:50 PM	#12
Girly Gears Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Deland, Fl Posts: 121	Good luck! I would try the trap in the bucket, maybe after a day or so so it's good and hungry...

01/22/2011, 10:05 PM	#13
nanofam Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 27	I've got the rock in a bucket overnight.... Fingers crossed! I fed the DT mysis just to make sure he wasn't in there someplace else. In a fit of rage earlier I did also treat my other big LR with the works too, but no luck there either. So I'm pretty sure he's hiding out in the one i've got. great idea to put the trap in the bucket with the rock! After leaving this rock out, am I ok to plop it back into the DT?

01/22/2011, 10:09 PM	#15
jaystampareef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Wesley Chapel, Florida Posts: 74	I would put the rock in a 5 gallon tank. Within a few days, you should see him come out sometime to eat. Once he is out, grab the rock. Then place the SOB on Craigslist for free. Someone will take him!

01/23/2011, 07:54 AM	#17
jaystampareef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Wesley Chapel, Florida Posts: 74	I'm guessing that you dont want to destroy such a large rock, either. Hmmm... if he is hiding far enough in the rock, he is pretty well protected. I think that the best way to go withiot destroying the rock and everthing alive on it would be to put it in a rubbermaid bin large enough to hold with water and throw an airstone in there. Then set a trap for him. It will take time, but eventually, you'll get him.

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