Quick id, I have no clue but scary!!

[Reanea03]

Pulled 3 of these out of my sump after removing some broke down cheato.. Good, bad (further advise if this is the case please)? What is it?

 

[Lucasb625]

Look up mantis shrimp. Some people like them but other find them to be pests and get rid of them.

 

[Reanea03]

That's what my first thought was.. Can they become problematic?

 

[Venom_]

They can kill your clean up crew like crabs and snails.

 

[Reanea03]

Out they go.. Little to much for me! Lol

 

[Cichlid-dude]

Mantis shrimp also get huge, like 12"

 

[mr_X]

I wouldn't kill them. Leave them in the sump. They can't hurt anything in there.

 

[Reanea03]

So are we 100% sure its baby mantis?? I lost my clam and when I pulled it out I scooped some of the sand and there were 8 of these little guys that I could count. Just don't know if I should be worried or if my nitrates (which were at 40 and now 5 over a 48 hr span) was more to blame for the loss.

 

[bribo12]

Less nitrates is not going to kill your clam. I disagree those are mantis shrimp. Some type of pod like creature IMO. Mantis tend to be larger and have very developed eyes. They aren't colonial either. With you having so many of them I'd pin it to an isopod or similar organism

 

[Reanea03]

Any other thoughts on why my clam went south? (Duncan's and frogspawn as well as trumpets are all regenerating tissue) I don't remember the readings but 1-1/2 week ago my lfs store tested for calcium and alk both were acceptable. 3 yr 7 mo old tank running 52 bulb led, skimmer and sump.

 

[bribo12]

How long had you had it? How big was it? What species of clam?

 

[Reanea03]

It was one of the first things added so let's say 3 years, deressa. And 6"

 

[bribo12]

Hmm I don't know, that does seem odd.

 

[Reanea03]

Sigh... I know, I'm at a loss and my 3" crocea is just as happy as can be.

 

[bribo12]

So weird. That stinks