New Tank Owner... strange species

by **BrenLou7734** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 10:43 am

Hi everyone, Im brand new here, and new to owning a marine/saltwater tank.

I bought home my live rock, and a critter has come along with it. Ive only ever seen either its head poking out, or its tail. So its head has two boggly eyes on stalks- very boggly!!! then its front legs-if thats what they are- are quite big, and then its tail tapers down and has sort of a horizontal paddle on it. Im SURE this is the critter that makes a "click click" noise every now an then.

I need help determining what it is, and if its ok to keep in there.

i also have what looks to be a "hairy crab"- also safe to keep?!

by **saltwaterpimp** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 2:04 pm

You have a mantis shrimp, i think..google it and let us know

swp

by **Snowboss4492** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 2:15 pm

dangerously beautiful creatures - -do a youtube search as well........you'll love it or hate it

by **puffedupseagull** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 9:56 am

Piece of shit those things, but yes a mantis shrimp. One of the best escapees you will ever come across. Dont touch it with bare hands, will click a hole right through it. Can smash glass if provoked enough. Eat crustations, like crabs and stuff. Here is a pick of one i had, not real clear but you can see him sticking out the middle of the rock. HE STILL EVADES ME AFTER ^6MTHS OF JABBING SCREW DRIVERS INTO HIS HOLE> He just attacks them, they make caves all through the LR

by **BrenLou7734** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 10:46 am

Do u know how much u have scared me?
It can smash a hole in my hand? and the glass? oh no, he sounds like bad news :o( I dont like the sound of him making holes in my LR, is that what the tapping sound is? He is renovating, in a bad way!!!

I cant really make out the evil shrimp in the pic. I think I can hear him laughing though. :p

by **Snowboss4492** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 11:29 am

did you check out any of the youtube videos??

you can buy a trap for them .............ive never had one .......... but i guess the traps work..................some people keep them on purpose, but thats the only thing in the tank and they make sure of it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hkv_30niM_A

Boss

by **blueshoes2208** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 11:46 am

hey its the holidays, go ahead and have some fun killing it, throw some water proof firecrackers in your tank and see what happens haha am i a bad influence?

by **saltwaterpimp** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 3:57 pm

just grab it...hehe

by **fihsboy** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 9:55 pm

pimp....your a brave man. Thats probably the only creature I wouldnt handle...I got a long spine urchin out at the fish shop for the owner..he was busy so he asked me if i minded....but damn.....I wouldnt pull out a mantis.Unless i wanted to check my blood sugar.

by **saltwaterpimp** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 10:41 pm

it's a baby, mantis have to get quite large for them to do knuckle busting damage...i think ?.
set a trap in your tank you will get him..

New Tank Owner... strange species

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