re creature I found in the dark

[Leah]

Good, bad or indifferent?

[High tide]

Originally Posted by Leah

Good, bad or indifferent?

Could be any one of the above. Monitor your livestock and make sure things aren't going missing, if they are....get it out!

[Leah]

Okay, I am hearing some clicking coming from in there, never heard it before and have
added nothing new to tank. Hmm

[Rbacchiega]

Clicking is usually a sign of a Mantis. Well that or a Pistol Shrimp.

[Whatigot]

too much of a lack of info for anyone to give you any meaningful advice.
watch it close, listen for clicking.

Bristle worms and mantis shrimp and pistol shrimp all look very different, but based on your description, it could be any of them.


best to be sure before you consider any advice or diagnosis.
wait until your lights are out, and put some food near where you saw it retreat (not with your fingers) and see if you can't get a better description.

[don.ald]

the easiest way is to put the rock into your sump...or place the rock in fresh water and it will come out. some people have flushed them out with soda water...

[Leah]

Thanks I will try the freshwater idea. I just feed them with spirulina flakes and watched
his spot carefully he came flying out, he is about an inch long and so quick its amazing.
I really don't get it never heard the clicking before its creeepin me out a little.

[Leila]

my puffer would eat it

[Nihoa]

we freshwater dipped our liverock and flushed a pistol out. we didnt soak for very long and managed not to kill our coralline or worse all the bacteria in the rock. ive read a less shocking treatment is to soak in less saline water for slightly longer. its more gentle on the rock and will still make it uncomfortable enough for whatever critter is in it to vacate.

[bullit67]

If it is that fast is sounds like a mantis shrimp to me they are lightning quick kind of freaky how fast they can move. Oh yah if it is Mantis whatch your fingers they are not called thumb splitters for nothing.