How do I catch a pistol shrimp?

PDAlber · 04/14/2010, 07:37 PM

I have an established 90 with a lot of rockwork. I have tried, unsuccessfully, to add a diamond watachman goby (twice), and a yellow watchman goby. All three went through QT, but disappeared after the first night in the display. I think the culprit is a pistol shrimp that I can hear, but have never seen. So, my question is, how do I catch a shrimp that I never see?

jarrett shark · 04/14/2010, 08:57 PM

trap

mcginnisandrew · 04/14/2010, 10:30 PM

you want to remove a pistol shrimp? You know those are the guys that form symbiotic relationships with those types of goby's. If it is a pistol shrimp that you didn't add, then you lucked out.

Are you thinking its a mantis shrimp?

ROB2005 · 04/14/2010, 10:33 PM

First and foremost, let's remember not all pistols pair with gobies. See if you can source where exactly in the tank its coming from and focus your efforts on trapping it.

PDAlber · 04/15/2010, 06:25 AM

Obviously the symbiotic relationship didn't go so well for the yellow watchman goby. The problem is I've only seen it once, VERY briefly, after the lights went out. I can ofter HEAR it at night, though. What type of trap would I use?

kimber45 · 04/15/2010, 07:57 AM

so is it a pistol shrimp or your not sure?

if your not sure i put my money on a mantis shrimp.

PDAlber · 04/15/2010, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimber45

so is it a pistol shrimp or your not sure?

if your not sure i put my money on a mantis shrimp.

I'm quite sure its a pistol. I was able to see the claw in one of the rocks one night. Also, I've had pistols before, so I'm familiar with the loud noise they make. The last one I had I would see once in a while, though. And, I could feed him with a wand. Except for one brief glimpse, I never see this one. I'm not even sure how it got in there.

kimber45 · 04/15/2010, 10:10 AM

yep you can definitely identify them by that claw. lol

just funny about the watchman. they seem to partner up with a variety of pistols.

paraletho · 04/16/2010, 03:03 PM

Where would one find a pistol shrimp trap or do you have to DIY it. Ive got a Tiger Pistol that is paired with an Orangespot Watchman. I can't have anything on the sandbed because he will bury it. He's outta here!

04/14/2010, 07:37 PM	#1
PDAlber Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 504	How do I catch a pistol shrimp? I have an established 90 with a lot of rockwork. I have tried, unsuccessfully, to add a diamond watachman goby (twice), and a yellow watchman goby. All three went through QT, but disappeared after the first night in the display. I think the culprit is a pistol shrimp that I can hear, but have never seen. So, my question is, how do I catch a shrimp that I never see?

04/14/2010, 08:57 PM	#2
jarrett shark Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2,518	trap __________________ President of "NY REEF CLUB" OFFICE 300gal SPS reef tank with 400gal sump,150 GAL Frag tank,30gal frag= 890gal total HOUSE 400gal reef tank with 250gal sump = coming soon. 5x3x3 with 1" think acryli

04/14/2010, 10:33 PM	#4
ROB2005 Reefing Is My Passion! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 719	First and foremost, let's remember not all pistols pair with gobies. See if you can source where exactly in the tank its coming from and focus your efforts on trapping it. __________________ If at first you don't succeed at reefing, break it down and set back up😁 Current Tank Info: 75 gallon corner overflow, 4-54W T-5 , dozen blue hermits, tiger pistol/yellow watchman goby, royal gramma, banghai and pajama cardinals

04/16/2010, 03:03 PM	#9
paraletho Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sabine Pass TX Posts: 433	Where would one find a pistol shrimp trap or do you have to DIY it. Ive got a Tiger Pistol that is paired with an Orangespot Watchman. I can't have anything on the sandbed because he will bury it. He's outta here! __________________ There is no better feeling in the world than waking up in the morning and knowing you're doing what you were born to do. It's your life just do it Current Tank Info: 32month old 58 gallon (GBTA,Mushrooms,Dendros,Ricordea,Red Planet,Lobo, Open Brain,10" Torch,Hammer/Frogspawn Xbreed, Mated Pair Ocellaris, Powder Blue ,CB shrimp, assorted cleanup crew) mag 9, 6x39 T5 ATI; 21 mth old 125 gal SPS 50 gal sump/refugium

04/14/2010, 10:30 PM	#3
mcginnisandrew Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 286	you want to remove a pistol shrimp? You know those are the guys that form symbiotic relationships with those types of goby's. If it is a pistol shrimp that you didn't add, then you lucked out. Are you thinking its a mantis shrimp?

04/15/2010, 06:25 AM	#5
PDAlber Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 504	Obviously the symbiotic relationship didn't go so well for the yellow watchman goby. The problem is I've only seen it once, VERY briefly, after the lights went out. I can ofter HEAR it at night, though. What type of trap would I use?

04/15/2010, 07:57 AM	#6
kimber45 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: michigan Posts: 455	so is it a pistol shrimp or your not sure? if your not sure i put my money on a mantis shrimp.

04/15/2010, 10:10 AM	#8
kimber45 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: michigan Posts: 455	yep you can definitely identify them by that claw. lol just funny about the watchman. they seem to partner up with a variety of pistols.