Clicking Sound

[valcard]

Have been hearing a clicking sound from my tank and can't figure out what it is. Its not form the equipment, it goes sound like it is coming from the tank. It is about 2 or 3 clicks in a row, anyone have an idea?

 

[joander123]

if u have live rock in the tank, its probably a hitchhiker called a mantis shrimp.

Cool little buggers, but only if you want one (you probably dont). They kill almost everything u put in the tank including fish, inverts etc. Your going to need to try and locate him, and remove him.

Watch your fingers when doing so, as they can create pretty harsh lacerations.

The way i would recommend removing him is finding the piece of LR hes is located in, and take it out of the water. Put it in a bucket full of either freshwater, or water very low in salt (probably a bit better for the rock) and he will come flying out, you then remove the rock and do what you will with the mantis.

Many people keep them in separate tanks, because they are so cool to watch and own. I wouldnt kill the mantis, and im sure many people here wouldnt mind taking it off of your hands...

good luck,
Jay

 

[Grins]

If you're sure it isn't equipment like a heater hitting the side of the tank or the lights powering off then I'd check for a mantis shrimp like Jay said...or a pistol shrimp. Both make loud clicks.

 

[Riverserver]

If it's rapid clicks its a mantis shrimp. Here are a few ID's:
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthropoda/crustacea/malacostraca/eumalacostraca/royslist/

Info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantis_shrimp
http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/msubpestmshrimp/a/aa110498.htm

 

[valcard]

Never seen a mantis in the tank and its happens a few times a night once and awhile. The heater is about 1/4 to 1/2 inch away from tank side wall and dont move much even when the Lawnmower Blenny swims on it or sits on it. How dose pistol shrimp act in a tank peacfull or mean?

 

[Grins]

Depends what else you stock. Have you viewed the tank at night with a red LED?

 

[valcard]

Chromos damesals, gold strip marron clown, Bicolor Anthias, lawnmower blenny, cleaner shrimp, peppermint shrimp, scarlet crab, blue leg crab, mexican turbo snail is what i have stock. Have viewed with red led and seen only the stock and brittle worms, nothing elses i can tell.

 

[Grins]

A pistol would be a threat to the other shrimps without a doubt.

 

[valcard]

how big do pistol shrimp get?

 

[fuzzydwarfs]

pistols are fine, its the mantis you have to watch for...Ive got 4 pistols living in perfect harmony with all inhabitants of my tank, and have been doing so for the past year...I discovered a mantis a couple weeks back, so I grabbed him up and he now lives in the sump...

pistols are near on blind and extremly shy...a mantis, if big enough, will kill off whatever swims by...

JO...

PS...my pistols are about 5cm long (not including feelers)...