If you're looking for some information on mantis shrimp trap then this is it. If however, you're looking for a general information on mantis shrimp, then go here to my peacock mantis shrimp guide.

As marine aquarists, we sometimes introduce creatures into our tanks that are undesirable. And they are normally brought in through live rock since we cannot possibly scan every single nook and cranny on the rock itself.

So this isn't just a guide on trapping mantis shrimp, it is also a guide on trapping pistol shrimps and crabs. These three are the most commonly imported creatures through live rock. It must be said that while crabs are a fairly common problem, mantis shrimp and pistol shrimp are not. Personally i've two instances of these guys hitchhiking through live rock.

One was a two inch golden mantis shrimp while the other was a pair of unkown pistol shrimp.

Lets briefly look at all three of these hitchhikers.

Crabs - The most common hitchhiker. If the liverock you purchased is fresh, you can bet its got some crabs.

They come in all different shapes and sizes and they are all excellent scavengers. But as they grow, they may pose a threat to your fishes and crustaceans.

Pistol Shrimp - Small pistol shrimp aren't as common as crabs but you get them hitchhiking from time to time. Not really considered a nuisance, they are also scavengers that keep their burrows and surrounding area clean.

Problems arise when the pistol shrimp grows too big or if you house smaller fishes. I got rid of my hitchhiking pair mainly because they were in a tank that was housing the tiny flaming prawn goby (Discordipina Griessingeri) that grows no longer than an inch. Too dangerous.

Mantis Shrimp - The danger is obvious, they will prey on fishes and crustaceans. Thats all there is too it.

Octopus - And sometimes, very rarely, you may just get a dwarf octopus hiding in the rock. Its not unheard of.

On to the trap then. The principle is very simple. You'll need a lure, and a place to trap the creature of interest.

Basically, the lure is food and the trap is a container of some sort that allows for easy entry but not an easy exit.

The simplest DIY would be a soft drink bottle that is cut in half and the top half inverted and inserted into the bottom half.

Or, if you want a purposefully built trap, look no further than the X-Terminator Mantis Shrimp Trap. Its a helluva name for a mantis shrimp trap. But then again, it looks like a helluva trap.

Next, you need a food that is sure to attract the attention of these hitchhikers. Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, table shrimp, whatever you have. Just make sure its stinky.

Place the trap near where you think the hitchhiker is living and wait an entire day. If you're not successful initially try changing the food. Mix it up until you catch them. Also, if you're fairly certain as to the shrimps location, you can simply remove the rock and flush it out with freshwater. This isn't always possible as the rock in question may be under a stack of other rock.