Help! Found a Mantis Shrimp

[dsfdbutterfly]

Well, I decided since things are starting to come alive on my rock to look it over this evening after the lights went out. I let the tank sit dark for about 2 hours and then shined a light on the tank. A smile came to my face as I looked around to see the live little critters moving around. Until dread hit. I saw what I have read can piggy back on live rock. A small (1/4") mantis shrimp trying to get away from my light. What can I do? How do I catch it and fast? I've read all the ways but what's the best? Some tried suggestions would be great. At this size do I really have to worry about my fingers? Should I worry about others being in the tank also? Is it unusual to have one on your rocks or are they pretty common? I know lots of questions but any help would be greatly appreciated.

Angie

[Reptoreef]

reguardless of the size, watch your fingers!!! Either splitters or crushers are probably "gonna leave a mark". IMO, at it's smaller size, a bottle trap would work best.

[dsfdbutterfly]

Ok, I caught the little bugger last night in a glass like jar. The thing is that after catching and observing him close up I'm not sure that it is a mantis shrimp now. After pouring over pictures of these things he doesn't hunch up with the preying mantis type front. His claws are more outstretched. I played with it a bit with my tweezers (never pinching it of course) and he never tried attacking or hitting them. After further search of saltwater shrimp I believe I have a pistol shrimp on my hands. I placed the cup back in the water to allow it to reach the same temp as the tank and put him back in. Any advice as to whether I should just remove it or should I just try to observe it? Anyone have a pistol shrimp? Some articles say they can be aggressive but others say they are very good. Thanks,

Angie

[Reptoreef]

IMO, pistols are ok, but opportunistic feeders... but, in the ocean, what's not an opportunistic feeder???

[graphixx]

if you have a pic of him that would help with an ID if you do have a mantis shrimp let me know I would take him off of your hands. I had a peacock mantis and I loved him!!!! I wold love to get my hands on another one!!!

[dsfdbutterfly]

I will go camera hunting tonight and see if I can't get a good picture of him. He is tiny and was not hard to catch by surprize. He likes my sand in which I think he has made his home instead of the rock. He blends real well. If he is a mantis I will be more than happy to send him to you as I'm not the type to kill anything just cuz it was caught by surprize when someone came to take his home. I will post the pics about 10 AZ time that should give enough time for everything to be dark and for him to come out again.

Angie

[ReefNeck]

I have a Japanese Pistol Shrimp. Also have a Yellow watchman Goby. Waiting for them to find each other and pair up which is awesome if/when they do. The shrimp digs a burrow and the watchman stands guard at the entrance. If a threat comes near the watchman wiggles his tail which the shrimp can feel. They can/will live together permanently.

Several Gobys and several types of Pistols will do this. If you don't have a shrimp goby and it is a Pistol shrimp you should get one.