How do I prey on a Mantis?

[fish addict]

I fear that I have a mantis shrimp in my tank. I have had several fish go missing and haven't found any remains, and know that they didn't jump.

My live rock is very porous with some deep caverns and burrows. I think that I have a good idea as to which rock houses this beast.

Should I remove the rock and flush the holes with soda water?

Should I do this with all of my chunks of live rock?

I'm not positive that it is a mantis shrimp as I have not seen it. I look in at night with a red lens light, but haven't seen too much action.

I hate not knowing what really happened to my fish.

 

[mogurnda]

If you haven't seen it, then I wouldn't go trashing the live rock with soda water. Smashers live in rocks and tend to leave fish alone. If you see cracked snail shells or notice missing hermits, that's good evidence you have a smasher.

Spearers are the ones that eat fish, but rarely come in on live rock because they usually live in burrows in the sand.

Mantis tend to be most active during the morning and evening, and seal themselves in their holes at night. If you have a mantis, you will see it eventually.

If you think there's a particular rock with the mantis, watch it for a few days during lights on. You may see some beady eyes looking back at you. Use a flashlight to look in the holes. Mantises will run to their little dens when threatened, so you should be able to pull the rock and mantis out once you know where it lives. Examine all the holes, maybe even open them up a little with a screwdriver. A good shake may be all it takes to get the beast out.