Mantis question...

[Reefnman]

Will a Mantis bury themselves in the sand bed? My tank has been up over a year and I found and caught 2 Mantis' shrimp nearly a year ago and thought I had them all. I still had been finding snails and hermits tho that had been made prey of and couldn't figure it out. Now, this morning I found a hole in my sand bed that had been built up all around like some sort of a ambush zone. When I shined my flashlight into the tank what ever it is quickly went back into the hole and all I could see were the anteni sticking out...I quickly went in with tongs but it was deep in the sand bed and I lost it. Anyone experience anything like this before?

Thanks.

(I have not heard any of the "popping" sounds tho that I heard with the other 2 I caught)

 

[aliendomain]

That does sound like a Mantis, I saw a large one at the Baltimore Aquarium a while back that had a cave built in the sand like you have described. The speed that it retreats into the hole also sounds like the little devils. If you get a red filter "red cellophane" to put over your flash light you might be able to get a better look at it.

 

[Reefnman]

Thanks. Yes after I posted I went and did some reading and it does sound like that is what I have...damn. I have a trap I sure hope I can catch the little critter! Sure does explain things tho.