What Killed my Mantis

[ReefTanker91]

Hello all,

I started my tank back in May with live rock from TBS. The rock came with a mantis shrimp that I decided was not worth vacating because of the hassle.

I enjoyed watching him roam around the tank, he didn’t seem to bother any of the fish, corals, or cuc. I did see him give a few love taps to a snail but that was only when the snail was close to his hideout.

Today I found him lying on his side next to some corals. At first I was worried he was playing dead to attract some fish (I know silly) but when I pulled him out with some tongs I confirmed he was a goner.

Im just trying to think what could have done him in. I know that there is still one or two gorilla crabs in the tank. My corals, fish, and cuc are all doing well so I’m not sure if it was one of the crabs or maybe the mantis wasn’t able to molt?

I also linked a video of the tank currently.

 

[Fish Fan]

Sorry to hear about your loss!

I had an N. wennerae in a 10 gallon AIO with rock and sand all from TBS, and I loved my little spud. My guy unfortunately died in an ATO accident while I was on vacation (always the way!).

Your tank is otherwise beautiful, and I can't offer any insight into why or how you lost your Mantis. Tagging along to see who knows.

But sorry again to hear about your Mantis. Best of luck going forward!

EDIT: A healthy N. wennerae Mantis will POUND gorilla crabs and just about anything else in the tank. Maybe something got him when he was molting?

 

[Fish Fan]

@Stomatopods17 ?

 

[ReefTanker91]

Sorry to hear about your loss!

I had an N. wennerae in a 10 gallon AIO with rock and sand all from TBS, and I loved my little spud. My guy unfortunately died in an ATO accident while I was on vacation (always the way!).

Your tank is otherwise beautiful, and I can't offer any insight into why or how you lost your Mantis. Tagging along to see who knows.

But sorry again to hear about your Mantis. Best of luck going forward!

EDIT: A healthy N. wennerae Mantis will POUND gorilla crabs and just about anything else in the tank. Maybe something got him when he was molting?

Yeah I’m thinking maybe one of the bangai cardinals, they are quite big and became a bit territorial right now with the female looking pregnant and I picked him up where they like to be.

Sucks, he was definitely one of the more entertaining things to watch in the tank and I was hoping he would take care of the gorilla crabs for me .

 

[Stomatopods17]

Ain't really a way to solve it.

Could've been natural, could've got stung by a sweeper tentacle, could've failed a molt. I doubt its the work of a fish unless it was a wrasse, puffer, dottyback, etc.