I remember a while ago someone commenting on wether or not mantis shrimp are found in NZ waters cant find the post but anywho.

Found one today whilst hunting for crabs and shrimp and snails at the beach for my puffers. Funny looking Acclimated it and then put it in the main tank as I thought he might survive the puffers.

Turned my back to get my camera and wham! my blue spotted grouper got em.

As his back legs were wriggling I gave him his last rites.

So I can say that whoever was looking for them they are down at Little shoal bay.

What colour was it?

It wasn't as green as the ones on Reefcentral but more a sandy colour having said that it did change tones I geuss as a response to my self annoying it.

When it was in the sand it was more green.

I put it in a plastic tub so I could check it out from all angles it definately had the same mouth.

Did you pick it up with your fingers?

:lol:

no

Just trying to see if it may have been a pistol shrimp, my daughter in law managed to find one recently at Campbells bay.

But if it definately was a mantis I might go down there myself & check it out.

This is what it looked like

Nearly same colour.

I already have a pistol shrimp in the tank I thought the puffers would get him but they just left him alone for some reason.

Wow! Well that's definately a Mantis!

I live on the Shore also, maybe we should meet up and go on a Grand Mantis Hunting Expedition!

I doubt they are that common though, if they were I am sure we would have heard stories of people getting whacked by them. But I would sure like to go & have a look.

are they safe for our tanks?

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=1702&N=0

"Mantis Shrimp are extremely aggressive shrimp that should be housed alone in a species aquarium. They have very quick claws that they use to break the shell of crustaceans and crabs. They should not be housed with fish or other invertebrates, unless they are very large, and caution should still be exercised."

cool though, if it is one of them you found

If I was lucky enough to get one, it would get it's own little tank.

A few years ago they had one at Hollywood Mt Roskill, it was brightly coloured and very cool.

It looked all around with its eyes on stalks & I could see it watching me & taking an interest. I have read they are quite intelligent ( as far as shrimps go I presume :lol: )

May I suggest anyone reading the post on tim the supermantis on reef central. Very funny. It was the thread of the month.

I would be keen on doing some sort of hunt for them. It might open up the hobby a bit more

Well next time I'm around Little Shoal Bay at low tide I'll be having a look.

I think that was me who posted a few months back.

I was inspired by a nano tank with a mantis in it over on the nano-reef boards.

How big was the one you caught? and was it a spearer or smasher?

Iv seen one nz mantis before but it was small and brown and nowhere near as interesting as its tropical cousins.

I wonder how the native ones would handle living in warm water without mud as a substrate.

btw I grew up on Maritime Tce hows that for a coincidence?

if youre looking for puffer food in the area you should try onepoto domain, last time I was there the water was full of big shrimp- thousands of em.