Mantis?

[justinl]

the clicking may have been from a pistol, or a snail in front of a powerhead whose shell is hitting the glass, or of course the mantis. Organisms that are newly introduced are often skittish and nervous so that may explain the cleaners. If you want you could throw in a bottle trap to see if you could lure out the mantis if you have one. Have you done the stake out? some mantids are diurnal (active during daylight) and some nocturnal so you'll have to watch day and night. A visual/pic is the only solid proof.

What was the fate of the last one? you didn't kill it did you?

[tmbar19]

We bought a complete 90 gal. set up a week ago. When draining the last of the water, there was this little 1/2" pale blue shrimp-looking thing. We thought he'd be "food" for the fish, but didn't have anywhere else to put him. Unfortunately we didn't know any better, and slipped him in the tank. Mistake! Now we are trying to trap him out. We hear him "snapping" occasionally and he's smashed up one of my little hermits. I was told not to destroy him, as many people like to keep them as pets. They are supposed to be very intelligent. Hope he's dumb enough to get caught! Marianne

[ed99]

Thanks for the replies. Yep, I've done some staking out but haven't seen anything yet. I guess one week isn't long for the new shrimp though previously the cleaners I have had were less shy. One reefer reckons that if I had a mantis the cleaners would be goners already. I'll hold off putting in any more fish or crustaceans for a little while longer and see if I find any more signs of him. I do not have snails or crabs so they won't explain that clicking.

As for the mantis I did find- he went to a good home.