need help knowing what shrimp i have

[cmata04]

I bought a rock and knotice there is shrimp living in it.....my brother says there are some kind of shrimp that eat fish :confused:..... it's small like my pinky....need help knowing what kind it is...

it's black with small white dots on its whiskers i cant see the body though since it just stays in a hole of my rock ...he ate some brine shimp though.... tryed taking a pic but you cant even see it in the picture.

[Wolf316]

Could be a Mantis Shrimp

[Big_Pun]

here you go lil sis, does it look like this
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/mantis.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu357/stangchris/mantis2.jpg

[snfkotara]

You could put the rock its living in a tub or a bucket watch for it to come out then remove your rock and then you can ID it. That way if it is a mantis shrimp you can maybe find a home for it if its not what you want. Some people like them I use to have a small tank with 3 large one and they are cool to watch.

[cmata04]

Yea I'm thinking of doing that ...but idk where it went it's not in the rock unless the hole is deep.....do I have to worry about it later though...like eat my fish when it grows??

[Marcus]

I just noticed I have A Mantis Shrimp hitchhiker as well. How dangerous are they for reef tanks anyway? (reef tank consists of ZOOs and Fox Coral)

[recoiljpr]

I just noticed I have A Mantis Shrimp hitchhiker as well. How dangerous are they for reef tanks anyway? (reef tank consists of ZOOs and Fox Coral)

They will leave coral pretty much alone from a eating standpoint (they will move it around though). It will kill though your crabs, snails, fish (if it can catch them), etc. They are very good hunters.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hkv_30niM_A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq4X7bSPB_0&feature=related


While looking for videos, I found this one of a guy hand feeding a Mantis. WOW!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV9z5e1r2KM&feature=related

[Big_Pun]

these guys are predators and when adults they can break your glass tank, so not very good unless housed in a species only tank

[snfkotara]

Well I read that they can break a glass tank with their claws I know the ones i had cracked up the live rocks.

[cmata04]

after reading that....anyone want mine if i have one? LoL

[ballardjr2000]

i have seen them crack a mask on a scuba diver had to help him to the surface. One way you can tell is if you hear a loud POP sound at night when they like to come out and hunt.

[Marcus]

Thanks everyone. Sounds like the little Mantis Shrimp has gotta go. Next Step is catching him.

I am not a believer in terminating live stock. So what is tried and true way of catching these little guys?

Hopefully someone will want him.

[RayAllen]

People buy them all the time for small nanos, im sure you will find a buyer.

[cmata04]

i've had no luck in catching him.....i tried putting little food in my net and put in front of his hole..he was tempted but my hand got tired so i have the rock in a bowl and put food but i think i just scared him..waiting game sucks

[cmata04]

well i have a 8g bio cube....so will he be ok??....i just dont want him eating any of my fish or snails, hurmet crabs,,,,,reallly i dont want to wake up with something dead/gone in my tank. not looking to sale just someone who will take him....if he is going to eat anything.

[kkiel02]

I had one hitchike but I had the rock on the counter waiting to go in the tank and he popped out. Be careful handling them. If you leave it out of water he will propably pop out.

[cmata04]

will it hurt my coral if i do that? just some zoa's on it!

[Big_Pun]

no I have had mine out for about 5 10 min while fragging

[diego]

Good bait for the Black Drum in the winter....lol They call them sea lice down here and you can buy them at the bait shops. I am sure you guys know that already.

[aggman]

i will take it if your still giving it away. i have an small acrylic cube that he won't be able to break. have you gotten a better look at the markings? i am wondering if it is a smasher or a poker. you said black and white so i am thinking ciliata or latirostris. you can catch it with a small gatorade bottle with a piece of shrimp or other food in it. he will climb in to get the food. live food works best because he sees the movement.

~alex