Mantis Shrimp? Clicking noise

[timclark27]

Hi,
I have a reef tank that I am setting up. I am nearing the end of cycling the tank. I have heard clicking noises coming from the tank almost from the beginning. I only have live rock in there at the moment. I have taken all the rock out twice, dunked them in fresh water for about a minute and flushed all the holes. I found about 4 mantis shrimp and 4 pistol shrimps. Most of which were small. The clicking noise is still occurring. Usually in groups of 2 or 3, usually rapid, usually when it is dark. I have since put in traps with shrimp but with no success. The whole time I have not once seen any sign of the ?mantis, if that is what is making the noise. I have checked everything else and it is not mechanical. The only other thing I saw was a red legged crab in hole but I couldn't flush him out. I am reluctant to pull all the rock out again as I am worried about what will happen to the the growth etc on the rocks. I have heard that if you hear clicking then it is the clubbing type mantis not the spearing type and these do not harm fish. Is this correct? I am asking as I am worried about putting fish in. I dont mind losing snails if that is this creatures(the clubbing type) preferred food source. I just dont wont to put fish in there if I'm sending them to their doom.

 

[Len]

Hey tim,

Since you previously found mantis and pistols, it's mostly more mantis or pistols left in the rock. I really recommend you try to get rid of all the clickers before adding fish just to be safe. Some mantis don't do much harm, but some will completely ravage fish, crustacean, and snail populations. Since the tank is empty now, there's no better time.

One method to try is to remove the rock from the tank, place the rocks in a rubbermaid container filled with only 2" of water, and use a powerhead and spray bar to keep the rest of the rock moist. All the critters will trek down to submerged portions, making it a lot easier to chase out any resident mantis with soda water.

I've found traps don't work very well. Believe me: I've tried for ages to remove my one mantis shrimp that ate more fish then I have I think it finally died of old age (clicking ceased a year ago; tank is nearing a decade now).

Good luck!

 

[Len]

Oh, by the way ....

 

[timclark27]

Thanks. I might give that a go. That or just wait 9 years