I would like to clarify some comments made by list members on another predator, the Mantis shrimp and add some more comments to those threads to relate my personal experiences with Mantis Shrimp (two kinds) and the Pistol Shrimp (the latter is added because of the reference made to clicking noises in the tank).Everyone keeps saying that if you don't hear a snapping or clicking noise, then it probably isn't a Mantis shrimp. Well, I have to disagree with this.
Over the years, I have had pistol shrimp and Mantis shrimp in my tanks. Pistol shrimp can be identified by the snapping noise they make with their claws. It is usually just a few snaps and it's over. The intent is to stun it's prey with the shock wave from the snapping claw, then move in and grab the stunned animal and eat.
Then there is the Mantis shrimp. There are two types. One has clubs on the end of it's front claws, and the other has sharp knife like blades on it's front claws.
I've encountered both types.
The club clawed Mantis shrimp is the most commonly encountered in our tanks. It uses it's clubs to bludgeon to death it's prey, whether it be a fish, crab, snail or other animal. If it's grabbed a fish and is beating it to death, you will most likely not hear any sound. On the other hand, if it has grabbed a snail or hermit crab, you will hear continuous clubbing sounds from the shell being broken into. This may go on for several minutes, until it has broken through the shell and gotten it's prey. This being unlike the pistol shrimp that only clicks it's claw a few times to shock it's prey.
The other type is the knife clawed Mantis shrimp. It sneaks up on it's prey and spears it with it's knife blades. Once hooked, the prey can't get away and becomes a meal. The knife produces no sound as it pierces it's prey.
So, don't rule this critter out just because you hear no clicking in the tank.
Doug
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