How do i get a mantis shrimp out of my tank (its small) with out breaking up all the live rock??

Question

It is small maybe 1/2 and inch and maybe 1/2in long. and i need it to get out as i have a reef and i dont want it in there. I ordered a critters trap for my crabs i want to get rid of. Any other ideas?

Answer 1

Man that's a tough spot your in. Honestly i know the situation your in but if you really want to effectively get the shrimp out asap it probably means removing some live rock. I know they can really pack a punch so i wouldn't recommend anything that involves getting your hands near the thing. You can try a baited trap but you may end up catching all your inverts before actually getting the shrimp. If you can find the rock that it is hiding in then remove that rock, So in a sense using the rock itself as a trap. Then put the rock in a separate tank and wait for it to come out then quickly remove the rock and add it back into your tank. Otherwise your in a tough spot but that's what i would do in the given situation.

Answer 2

your local saltwater fish store should carry mantis shrimp traps. or you can get them on line from plenty of sources. they usually come pre baited and I'm sure you can use other foods to entice the shrimp out of the rocks and into the trap. just follow the directions and place it near were you have spotted him..... happy shrimping!.....

Answer 3

I don't think Christian ever tried to net a Mantis Shrimp.There are small traps available for not much money that will do the job quickly and humanely.

Answer 4

Hold a shrimp or other food in tongs in one hand, hold the fish net in the other.

Put both into the water, the net under the food. Eventually (be patient) he will come up to the food for a nibble (try to discourage the fish)
Quickly bring up the net.

Answer 5

Get something that eats mantis shrimp.

Answer 6

Fish it out with a small fish net and try not to knock the live rocks. It's easy!