Past Adventures: The Great Mantis Shrimp/Bristleworm Battle

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Past Adventures

The Great Mantis Shrimp/Bristleworm Battle

I currently have a 3/4" mantis shrimp Squilla mantissa living in one of my rocks. (I have seen him from time to time, poking his head out of his hole. I hear his snapping daily.) Efforts are currently underway to bait and trap him in a 10 oz. glass bottle.

The bottle method worked for my last mantis shrimp capture. I was able to capture a 1.25" mantis in a matter of minutes (after seeing him fully exposed in the daytime -- indicating he was hungry!). This current shrimp is proving to be more elusive.

An interesting complication on matters is that I saw 5 inches of a fireworm poking out of my rock a few days ago. (I only saw five inches exposed, who knows how many inches were still in the rock!!! YIKES!!) After three unsuccessful attempts to grab the worm with my handy tongs, I finally was able to nip its head off. (This was satisfying, but not as satisfying as removing the worm entirely.) Now, I fear the dead worm is providing a ready buffet to my mantis shrimp (the worm and the shrimp are in the same rock).

So I may not see the mantis shrimp for a while if he's not hungry. At least he's no threat if he's not hungry!

NOTE: This shrimp is still in the rock. But he hasn't been threatening lately. So I will continue to try to trap him, until one day, he will be mine! Patience....