mantis shrimp

[Robin Alv]

Unfortunately, I think I have a mantis. I have heard the clicking only once. However, a few weeks ago my blood shrimp died. I do think he just died. But then my skunk shrimp was acting weird and almost dead the next day. I did not notice any signs of fighting, but the next day he died. I had to run out - Came back an hour later and not even the shell was left.

I thought it might have been my clown fish (2) but now all five of my snails are dead.

I bought a mantis trap. Has anyone had luck with these?

 

[Horchata]

hmmm..... ive never had a problem with mantis... how big is ur tank? try moving some rocks around trying to find him

 

[salty420]

i assume you've checked your nitrates? seems weird that the inverts are dying... have you tested for copper? was it by chance a used tank?

 

[andy1130]

I agree, I wouldnt jump to the conclusion its a mantis yet, from my experience mantis hitchhikers are far less common then most people think and when animals die, especially small inverts like shrimp, its not uncommon for their bodies to dissapear, break down quickly or just get gobbled up by scavangers and opportunists in the tank and leave no trace.
My old roomie had a mantis tank with about 10 snails to clean it and the mantis never bothered the snails - dont know if he was a good representation of most mantis shrimp or just a really lazy one.

 

[ProAquatics]

pistols are more common hitch hikers

 

[Robin Alv]

It is not a used tank. The nitrates are less than 10 and the ammonia and nitrites are at zero. My ph is 8.3 and the temp is around 79 degrees. I moved the rocks around but that did nothing. I haven't one invert left but my fish are healthy and eating well. Nothing got in the trap last night so I do wonder if it is not mantis or pistol. I am using RO/DI water so I don't think copper is a problem. Does anyone have any other suggestions???

Fish are fine - Corals are closing up though?!?! Any connection between closing corals and dead inverts? My calcium is 440.