Mantis Shrimp

[samsreef]

Do I have a Mantis Shrimp?

Every now and again I hear a fairly loud clicking/cracking noise coming from the tank. I haven't seen anything and I'm almost certain that the tank isn't cracking.

I have two other shrimps, a fire shrimp & cleaner shrimp.

Could it be a pistol shrimp?

[vtec si]

Sam,

I have a pistol shrimp that make a loud snaping noise. I thought I had a mantis when I first got him. He came as a hitch hiker on some live rock.
See if this is what you have.

[samsreef]

Hi, Thanks.

How can you tell the difference between them, I haven't seen anything...
Would it have of killer my other shrimps if it was a Mantis?

[scubadude]

You should be able to distinguish them if you get a good looksie

Heres a mantis


Heres a pistol


If its a pistol then I wouldnt worry as much (unless you have a small tank with thin glass) If its a mantis I would be worried about anything that is the same size as it or possibly even bigger. The speed of a mantis is pretty darn fast. A pistol almost always has one significantly bigger claw (unless someone has broken it off).