Possible predator in tank - Aquarium Advice

ahochan · 03-26-2008, 11:40 PM

I had a conch in my tank that has been there since I set the tank up about one and a half years ago. Yesterday, its shell was empty, and there was a hole pierced through the back of the shell. I saw it moving around normally two days ago.

I'm trying to figure out how this could have happened. The tank has a yellow-tailed blue damsel, a clark's clown (about 5 cm) and a royal gramma. Apart from that, there are some hermits, a urchin and a couple of small hitchhiker crabs.

I do hear clicking sounds from the tank occasionally, they've been there since I set the tank up. I've read that this could mean that I have a mantis or a pistol shrimp somewhere, but I've never seen anything like that. How big would one of these have to be to be able to pierce a 6-7 mm hole in a conch?

**roka64** · 03-27-2008, 12:43 AM

How many clicks do you hear? I have a pistol shrimp and I'll only hear one click (a warning click) mantis seem to click multiple times (rapid) , but I think at that point it is too late.
I have seen my hermits try to take out my conch but have been unsuccessful as they have a "leg" that can propel them out of danger.
A mantis can take out fish, depending on their size and the size of the fish.

ahochan · 03-27-2008, 01:45 AM

I usually hear a few clicks in succession, but usually with a few seconds between. The lights going off quite often triggers a click or two.

cmor1701d · 03-27-2008, 02:12 PM

Sounds like you have a mantis in there. You may be able to see it an hour or two after lights out using a red filter over a flashlight. Catching it is the next trick.

pitt420dude · 03-27-2008, 02:18 PM

Anybody got a pic of this feindish mantis?

mandown123 · 03-27-2008, 02:38 PM

i think its honestly pretty cool that you have a secret predator in your tank. Obviously from a tank health standpoint, it sucks, but I still think its pretty amazing what can get into these SW tanks inadvertently

austinsdad · 03-27-2008, 04:43 PM

Mantis shrimp, Odontodactylus scyallarus

mandown123 · 03-27-2008, 04:49 PM

that is quite possibly the awesomest thing I've ever seen. Too bad it'll eat your whole tank systematically, if I had one of those I'd want to leave it around.

Really interesting how they have the best color vision in the world.

cmor1701d · 03-27-2008, 07:03 PM

The fist link is to an artcile about research done at UC Berkely. Dowload the presentation and watch it. It's long but facinating.
04.21.2004 - Mantis shrimp may have swiftest kick in the animal kingdom

For some shorter video clips of a mantis in action go to U-Tube and watch these...
mantis attack

YouTube - Mantis Shrimp Attack (turn volume up)

mantis vs crab

YouTube - amazing mantis shrimp video

mantis fish klll

YouTube - Mantis Shrimp Kill

ahochan · 03-27-2008, 11:08 PM

I've often looked around in my tank a few hours after lights out using a flashlight. I'll try that with a red filter as suggested and see.

So... how do I go about catching this livestock killer?
I just heard a click now, I think he's onto me.

03-26-2008, 11:40 PM	#1
ahochan Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 64	Possible predator in tank I had a conch in my tank that has been there since I set the tank up about one and a half years ago. Yesterday, its shell was empty, and there was a hole pierced through the back of the shell. I saw it moving around normally two days ago. I'm trying to figure out how this could have happened. The tank has a yellow-tailed blue damsel, a clark's clown (about 5 cm) and a royal gramma. Apart from that, there are some hermits, a urchin and a couple of small hitchhiker crabs. I do hear clicking sounds from the tank occasionally, they've been there since I set the tank up. I've read that this could mean that I have a mantis or a pistol shrimp somewhere, but I've never seen anything like that. How big would one of these have to be to be able to pierce a 6-7 mm hole in a conch?

03-27-2008, 02:12 PM	#4
cmor1701d Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Belle Mead, NJ Posts: 3,927 Images: 43	Sounds like you have a mantis in there. You may be able to see it an hour or two after lights out using a red filter over a flashlight. Catching it is the next trick. __________________ Click here to Vote for Aquarium Advice on AquaRank . Vote EVERY day! Click Here for a list of commonly used acronyms and abbreviations. ____ Cmor

03-27-2008, 02:18 PM	#5
pitt420dude Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pittsburgh! Home of the 5 Time Superbowl Champs! Posts: 949 Images: 11	Anybody got a pic of this feindish mantis? __________________ Thank you so much for all your help. I'm now going green. LOOK! A NEW LEAF!!!!! Last edited by pitt420dude; 03-27-2008 at 02:28 PM..

03-27-2008, 04:43 PM	#7
austinsdad Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Clinton, Maryland Posts: 4,211 Images: 12	Mantis shrimp, Odontodactylus scyallarus __________________ -Ray- "Life may not be the party we hoped for but while we are here we might as well dance!"

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03-27-2008, 01:45 AM	#3
ahochan Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 64	I usually hear a few clicks in succession, but usually with a few seconds between. The lights going off quite often triggers a click or two.

03-27-2008, 02:38 PM	#6
mandown123 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 297	i think its honestly pretty cool that you have a secret predator in your tank. Obviously from a tank health standpoint, it sucks, but I still think its pretty amazing what can get into these SW tanks inadvertently

03-27-2008, 04:49 PM	#8
mandown123 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 297	that is quite possibly the awesomest thing I've ever seen. Too bad it'll eat your whole tank systematically, if I had one of those I'd want to leave it around. Really interesting how they have the best color vision in the world.

03-27-2008, 11:08 PM	#10
ahochan Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 64	I've often looked around in my tank a few hours after lights out using a flashlight. I'll try that with a red filter as suggested and see. So... how do I go about catching this livestock killer? I just heard a click now, I think he's onto me.