Reef Discussion

[Bonazz654]

I've been hearing mysterious clicking noises in my reef tank for about 6 months now, but cannot find the source. I know it could be a mantis or pistol shrimp, but have found no evidence of them at all. Nothing has died except one hermit, so I thought it wouldn't be a shrimp. I do have a mithrax crab and another hermit in the tank currently; could these be the source of the clicks. The clicks occur in irregular bursts generally at nigh; sometimes 1 click and others 2,3,4 clicks. I have ruled out equipment and so for the life of me do not know what these stupid clicks are! Could anybody help? If it is a mantis or pistol how do I look out for it? What should I do to find the source of the clicks!

 

[BlueBolts]

As you've deducted, it's not a mechanical sound due to the inconsistency if the clicks.....does sound like a mantis shrimp.....unsure of your tank size and other inhabitants, but you can try to place a pics of fresh fish/prawn around where you perceive the noice coming from when lights are off...and see whom grabs it's. Happy hunting :-)

 

[MagicJ]

I do have a mithrax crab ...

I doubt it - Mithrax sp. are not found in this part of the world - they originate for the Caribbean and Atlantic areas.

My guess would be a pistol shrimp - good luck trying to identify it :)

 

[Buddy]

Sounds exactly like my pistol shrimps. I have seen two in my tank, but I am sure there are more (one was put in there with a goby). They make the rapid clicking sound at night mostly but sometimes its just one click.
I really don't even notice the sound anymore unless there is a big burst of clicks.
I wouldn't even bother trying to find them. I have seen the hitch hiker shrimp twice in a year and a half and I see my other one that's paired with the goby about once a month.

 

[Wolffman64]

I used to hear a lot of clicks some evenings in my old RSM250, and was really worried that I had a mantis, but I found one evening that it was my two hermit crabs having a bit of a "rumble" next to the glass, and the clicking noise was their shells tapping the glass. Once I knew where the clicks came from, I did see and hear this many times, so it doesn't have to be a mantis ;-)

 

[SpikeHoover&Rocky]

I have a RSM130D and get the clicking. Pulled a mantis out. 3 mths later it was back. cant find another mantis but have found another blue swimmer (Baby) which I am yet to get out as he is a fast little bastard. and another black fury one. I reckon they are hitting the glass.

Cant get either out as they are at the back and in the rockwork.

Happy hunting though. chances are it will be a pistol/mantis/or unwanted crab.

 

[Bonazz654]

Thanks for the help guys.
I didn't hear the noise last night or the night before. I haven't been able to find the source for ages. Any other tips to try and find mantis/pistol shrimp? Also, the clicks are really quick or just 1 click. Could this mean a mantis or pistol? Also, if I put a pair of coral banded shrimp in there, would they be destroyed if it were a mantis or pistol?

 

[ezza]

http://www.blueboard.com/mantis/pest/catch.htm

The old bottle top inverted into the base seems to have a pretty good success rating.

 

[SpikeHoover&Rocky]

http://www.blueboard.com/mantis/pest/catch.htm


The old bottle top inverted into the base seems to have a pretty good success rating.

Epic. Mine where def Mantis in the past. no claws as such just those folded back thingos and bright colours...

Going to look into crab trap tonight.

 

[VaultBoy]

I have a mantis shrimp (on purpose) in a tank, seperate but attached to my main tank. I have had clicking noises in my tank for years and have always put it down to the mantis and or hermit crab and even a mandarin that used to peck the 'pods off the glass and make a click, however the hermits and mandarin have since left this mortal coil and the noises continue. I have noticed 2 distinctly different clicks and only one of them is my mantis and the other has been in my tank for years without being noticed!