How to trap an elusive Crab/Shrimp

[unninair]

Even since I have had my tank, I hear an occassional clicking coming from behind the rock work, possibly from a mantis shrimp. I have also seen a few crabs darting back and forth when everthing is quiet.

 

I have tried to trap them to atleast identify the species using the "plastic bottle cut and inverted" with a piece of fish in it with no luck. Every time I do that, my nassirius snails and hermit crabs get in there and eat the fish within a few minutes.

 

Any suggestions?

[GaryL]

Maybe you can try to suspend it so the snails can't climb up. it may be harder for the crabs to do the same. clicking huh? are you finding alot of snail shells around or missing fish? might be a hitch hiker pistol. HTH Gary

[unninair]

Gary,

 

Hmmmmm. I do seem to have quite a few snail shells around (I thought they were being slaughtered by my hermits). I'll try suspending the bottle about 1/2 inch of the substrate.

 

Thanks for your advice

 

Unni