[john1105]

So it had been a couple of weeks since my tank has cycled and I decided it was time to start adding some critters to keep the tank clean. I went out and got some hermits, snails, a couple of emerald crabs, and two peppermint shrimp. I acclimated everything and they went in the tanks. Everything thing was doing great, including the peppermint shrimp. But I soon noticed a clicking noise coming from the the tank, mainly at night, but sometimes during the day as well. I wrote it off at first because I had never heard it before in the weeks before I added any livestock to the tank. I figured no way it would be a mantis shrimp, I would have heard it earlier. Unfortunately I dont think that is the case anymore. Although, I have yet to see any broken snail or hermit crab shells, I did find the remains of one of my peppermint shrimp last night. It was litterally torn apart. This and the rapid clicking noise has pretty much confirmed it for me. Now my question is how do I go about finding the murdering little guy and getting him out? I have no idea which rock it hides in. I did read about fashioning a trap out of a bottle. Has anyone had a positive experience with the bottle trap? Any help at all would be most appreciated. This new discovery has been very discouraging.

[mothergoose]

John1105,
I have been using a bottle trap for a week now and the only thing I have captured is a blue damsel and two red legged hermit crabs. I have tried a couple locations with the trap but no luck yet. Part of the problem that I am having is not feeding the fish so whatever is clicking gets hungry enough to get into the trap for food. I'm not sure if starving my fish is any better than letting this thing eat them. Hope you have better luck than I am. Keep us posted.

[rlcline76]

I also hate those bottle traps. I haven't been trying to capture any snapping shrimp, though. Have been thinking about bird shot.

[john1105]

I dont really want to resort to a bottle trap either, but I have no idea where this damn thing makes its home. I see a very late night in store for me in the near future.

[rlcline76]

John, if you figure out which rock it is residing in, you may want to remove the rock and isolate him until you can safely remove him.

Nina...if you have a pistol, there is a good chance it is living in your substrate.

[john1105]

So I just did a count of my snails, and they all are still alive. If it is a mantis, it has not gotten to them. I was unable to count the hermit crabs because they tend to hide in the rock. I have not seen any broken hermit shells or legs in the sand. Is it strange that in a week of hearing activity, the thing that gets taken out is a peppermint shrimp and not even one snail? It seems like the snails would be a much easier target...

[john1105]

So I feel pretty dumb right now. What I had thought was the carcass of one of my shrimp was actually a molt. So that is great news. However, I am still hearing a clicking noise and this morning there was a dead hermit on the sand with its shell nowhere to be found. I am not sure what to make of this. I still have not seen anything that is making the clicking noise, no burrow in the sand and no eyes peaking out from behind a rock.

[mothergoose]

john,
welcome to my world!! can't seem to find anything that makes this noise. I'm still setting the bottle trap but so far nothing but good stuff has been caught.

[john1105]

Nina

Have you had anything go missing in your tank? Any casualties?

[mothergoose]

yes, red legged hermit crab. nothing else yet. has been a couple weeks now. my post of click, click, click, has most people thinking it is a pistol shrimp not a mantis.

[john1105]

i just found the remains of another blue legged hermit. i am going to set up a trap tonight. Nina, have you been watching the trap after you set it out, or do you just let it sit in the tank unattended til morning?

[mothergoose]

I leave it in the tank unattended overnight. I had a video camera set up but it would only record for an hour. I just assumed that the fish and the crab couldn't figure out how to get out neither would the pest. I will leave mine in during the day tomorrow since I am home. Would make sense to watch it. I do not glue the bottle together I use tape and leave a tab off the end so I can release what is in the bottle without having to cut them out. Just have to re-tape everyday. Good luck

[mothergoose]

John,
having any luck with the trap?

[john1105]

no luck so far. all i have caught are a couple of snails. i have been watching the tank at night, but i havent seen anything yet. how about you?

[mothergoose]

nothing, haven't heard from it since tuesday.

[ilovemash]

It may be a pistol shrimp, they eat some ornamental shrimp and click very loud very often!

[jimw369]

Any news...Nina...John?

[mothergoose]

Jim,
have recently set up a new tank and the clicking has made the move as well. Have not tried to catch anything as of late it seems that is does not bother anything or anyone but me. Still have not seen what it is. Only hear it from time to time.

[eldalote2]

i thought something was killing my hermits as well then i realized it was their molt... examine the next dead hermit you find and see if you come to the same conclusion. I also have a click, click, click in my tank which i am betting the owner is a small pistol shrimp. untill he claims my cleaner, im not setting up a trap for it

[john1105]

I still hear the clicking noise from time to time. I still have not been able to locate what is making the noise, but the good new is that I have not suffered any losses yet. (Knock on wood) I figure if it is not doing any harm, I am going to let it be and see what happens.