Dealing with a predator in a reef

[AngryTriGGer]

So I assume my best option would be to try and catch whatever may be the culprit. As far as the dragonet goes, I know it didn't decimate my pod population as i feed my tank small pellets once a day and the pods come out in huge numbers, even when the mandrin was in there. Like I said, it was fat and I had it about year. Cyanide maybe, don't know what the effects are long term..... but the clicking is there after lights out and i can hear it from other rooms in the house.

[tang daddy]

then I would bait it first I would try doing it in the rock work with a small bottle and something smelly maybe leave it overnight and check in the morning. If it's gone then repeat but only this time watching and if you get tired no problem just check again the next day. If it's gone again I would do it again and really watch. Remember mantis are smart but we are smarter always place the food in bottle the same place, once it gets familiar with the bottle it will think the bottle is food and then at that time you can try to find it's home.

Alternatively if you know forsure it's a mantis place the bottle right side up as it will take hime more time to escape, put a few rocks in the bottle and the food underneath it so it will have to fight for it's food, also tie a string to the bottle and hold onto it so you can yank it out when the bugger is in there.

[AngryTriGGer]

Funny you mention a pop bottle trap as I was just reading about them and it sounds like a plan. So first I must purchase a pop, some "stinky" seafood, and a fishing I will go. Thanks for the advice.

[tang daddy]

if you catch a mantis please make sure it goes to a good home. Oh and take some pics to share with all of us.