Mantis shrimp in there (or not?)

[justinl]

Do you ever get missing hermits/snails or their busted shells? If so then yes that would lean towards a mantis. A visual is of course the only solid evidence. Clicking alone is not hard evidence because more often than not, it ends up being a relatively harmless pistol shrimp. Or on the odd occasion a snail that is in front of a powerhead and is having its shell banged against the glass.

[RicePaddy]

I have found some shells with holes in the top and sides. Alot of holes.

Will

[justinl]

were the holes irregular like they were smashed in? or perfect circles. There are some snails that can grind through a shell to get to the insides. How often do you find these shells?

[RicePaddy]

I found two that I can see within the last two months. It almost looks like the shell may have degraded or I guess could have been punctured and peeled back. Hard to tell.

Will

[justinl]

I can't imagine a mantis of any species/size that could survive for a month between feedings. Do you have any other mysterious vanishings? If ynot, Then I doubt it's a mantis. And even if it is, a snail a month isn't such a bad price to avoid tearing down your entire system in search of something that might not even be there (that would be a let down and a half )