Crabs being attacked?

Lauramichelle · 01/21/2012, 05:15 PM

I think something may be attacking my smaller snails and my blue leg crabs. I hear occasional "popping" sounds. Today, I found this shell with what looks like a burn in it. I have only coral and my CUC in the tank so far. Earlier, I did see a tiny (maybe a 1/16 inch long) clear/white bug that looks sort of like a termite or ant. Ran along my LV really fast and ducked in behind it.

SushiGirl · 01/21/2012, 07:02 PM

Do you know if that shell previously had a hole in it or not? The clear/white bug you saw sounds like an amphipod. If you're hearing snapping you could have a pistol shrimp or a mantis hitchhiker.

andrewbram · 01/21/2012, 10:10 PM

If it sounds like glass clicking glass its a mantis. shine a red light in at night you will be sure to see him lurking.

Lauramichelle · 01/21/2012, 11:45 PM

The shell didn't previously have a hole as far as I know. And the clicking sounds more like a pebble dropping on the seascape. thank you

johnc99 · 01/22/2012, 12:59 AM

I' m curious - how frequently do you hear the pops?

SushiGirl · 01/22/2012, 01:18 AM

My pistol sounds like a pebble dropping. It's a lot louder when he actually hits the glass on the bottom of the tank LOL. I'm not sure mine could put a hole in a shell, but he's tiny.

Bluemon · 01/22/2012, 01:45 AM

not a mantis, no mantis makes that kind of holess.... they shatter shells, rather than PUNCTURE. you know? i would say that shell had the hole previously... as far as the crabs, do you find the corpses?

Brwestern · 01/22/2012, 08:30 AM

Most likely a whelk snail. Do you have any? They drill into the shells of other snails and are not reef safe. It's possible they came as bad hitchhikers.

snorvich · 01/22/2012, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brwestern

Most likely a whelk snail. Do you have any? They drill into the shells of other snails and are not reef safe. It's possible they came as bad hitchhikers.

Sounds likely. Not safe for snails or clams.

Lauramichelle · 01/22/2012, 12:41 PM

I hear the "pops" every once in a while. Although I do see empty shells, I have seen no carcasses. As far as I can tell, the only snails I have are the ones I purchased. I haven't seen any others. I did get a few hitchhickers, but a super tiny brittle star, a mushroom, a green polyp, and a tiny clear termite looking thing.

Bluemon · 01/22/2012, 01:48 PM

ged a red light and shine it at night. you will see new critters.

01/21/2012, 07:02 PM	#2
SushiGirl Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Fort Worth, TX USA Posts: 8,267	Do you know if that shell previously had a hole in it or not? The clear/white bug you saw sounds like an amphipod. If you're hearing snapping you could have a pistol shrimp or a mantis hitchhiker. __________________ Visit my Homepage or "My Albums" (via Profile) for hitchhiker pics. Current Tank Info: 55g softy/LPS tank & 20L reef tank

01/22/2012, 12:59 AM	#5
johnc99 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Los Gatos, CA Posts: 224	I' m curious - how frequently do you hear the pops? __________________ We must recognize the dignity which all creatures possess, and we must respect it for as long as we have them in our charge. - "Coldwater Fish" by Roy Pinks Current Tank Info: 40B FOWLR w/ Eshopps R-100, Aquamaxx ConeS CO-1, Eheim 3000+ return, AquaticLife 4x39w HO T5s

01/22/2012, 01:18 AM	#6
SushiGirl Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Fort Worth, TX USA Posts: 8,267	My pistol sounds like a pebble dropping. It's a lot louder when he actually hits the glass on the bottom of the tank LOL. I'm not sure mine could put a hole in a shell, but he's tiny. __________________ Visit my Homepage or "My Albums" (via Profile) for hitchhiker pics. Current Tank Info: 55g softy/LPS tank & 20L reef tank

01/22/2012, 08:30 AM	#8
Brwestern Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Celebration, Fl Posts: 600	Most likely a whelk snail. Do you have any? They drill into the shells of other snails and are not reef safe. It's possible they came as bad hitchhikers. __________________ 112g rimless 45x24\| pacific sun metis led \| SRO 2000int skimmer \| 2x mp40 \| 2 brs media reactors, gfo + carbon \| eheim 1262 \| Reef Keeper lite w/ NET

01/21/2012, 10:10 PM	#3
andrewbram Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 337	If it sounds like glass clicking glass its a mantis. shine a red light in at night you will be sure to see him lurking.

01/21/2012, 11:45 PM	#4
Lauramichelle Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Palm Harbor, Fl Posts: 48	The shell didn't previously have a hole as far as I know. And the clicking sounds more like a pebble dropping on the seascape. thank you

01/22/2012, 01:45 AM	#7
Bluemon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 902	not a mantis, no mantis makes that kind of holess.... they shatter shells, rather than PUNCTURE. you know? i would say that shell had the hole previously... as far as the crabs, do you find the corpses?

01/22/2012, 12:41 PM	#10
Lauramichelle Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Palm Harbor, Fl Posts: 48	I hear the "pops" every once in a while. Although I do see empty shells, I have seen no carcasses. As far as I can tell, the only snails I have are the ones I purchased. I haven't seen any others. I did get a few hitchhickers, but a super tiny brittle star, a mushroom, a green polyp, and a tiny clear termite looking thing.

01/22/2012, 01:48 PM	#11
Bluemon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 902	ged a red light and shine it at night. you will see new critters.