Knock knock...Something has created a home inside my rock.

[nivraM]

Hello,
I've been lurking these forums for a while and decided i would post today. I've noticed that I have something in my tank that likes to block itself into different crevices in my rock. I have never seen it and believe it probably comes out in the wee ours of the night. Anyone have an idea of what it might be?

It likes to collect things like shells and other debris and kinda covers the openings to its "home."

I've attached some pics of two openings in a large piece of rock. Please excuse the mess. I apologize for the 1st blurry pic.

 

[dragonladylea]

I'm guessing you also here "clicking" noises occasionally coming from the tank? I'm pretty sure you have a Pistol Shrimp.

 

[nivraM]

I have hear a noise at night but dismissed it as something else. I am thinking I may try to setup the video cam and catch it in action. The bugger has moved stuff all around.

If it is in deed a pistol shrimp. Other than the noises, do I need to worry? I have a tomato clown, bicolor blenny and skunk cleaner.

Thank you

 

[Anonymous]

Hmmm, when I had a mantis shrimp he would sometimes pull rubble over the entry to his cave.

 

[Anubis1]

I have to agree with Laura D.. I have heard about Mantis shrimps adding "doors" onto it's hideouts... does anyone know if pistols do too?

 

[dragonladylea]

Yes the Pistol Shrimp will also add "doors" to their dens. If you have a Pistol you will be fine. If you start seeing the number of your crabs, snails or fish disappearing you might have a Mantis and will have to remove it.

 

[nivraM]

Thank you for all of the responses. I am going to try to setup my camcorder at night in hopes of confirming what's in the hole. I have noticed a decline in snails, but wrote them off to the hermits in the tanks.

Thank you again.

 

[wade1]

I had one of these.. took me over a month to catch the bugger in action. Turned out it was a mantis shrimp and anytime it saw movement in the room, it'd pull its door shut on its cave. Once that was shut, it was almost impossible to even know where the cave was.... amazing critters.