Is this a Mantis Shrimp?

[newreefer_59]

What bait should I use and would he be ok dining on brine shrimp (of which I have lots) or does he really eat only live prey?

[Scavenger]

Originally Posted by newreefer_59

What bait should I use and would he be ok dining on brine shrimp (of which I have lots) or does he really eat only live prey?

My suggestion is a bottle trap baited with clam or mussel from your super market. Feed the same when it's in your 33 gallon.

[fishytime]

And whatever you do dont handle it.

[aquatic_rice]

i got a 2" smithii in a 10 gal.

if you can get at the rock hes hiding in, use like a chopstick er somethin to poke him out. thats how i got my guy out.

[justinl]

G. chiragra. Yes a 33g would be plenty large, but it will get lost in there and you'll likely never see it. I suggest a 10g, but line the bottom with strips of acrylic... they are one of the hard hitters when they get bigger. tankmates can be just about anything you wouldn't mind losing; fast water column dwelling things stand a better chance. damsels for instance. Also, nothing that might eat the mantis (lions, triggers, puffers, octopus, other mantis shrimp, etc). for removal, i suggest the bottle trap.

http://www.mantisshrimps.co.uk/articles/removal.php

[newreefer_59]

Does this animal have the force to take out the floor of the aquarium??

So the bottle trap is set now.....I baited it with raw shrimp (the irony) I happen to have in the freezer. Will that be something it'll go for, and how often should I change the bait if it goes untaken?

[BlueAbyss]

Mantis shrimp can break glass panels and throw rocks. The bottom of the tank is probably safe... any of the side panels may not be.

FYI, Mantis shrimp aren't really shrimp at all, so you don't have to worry about him feeling like a cannibal. Not that he would mind