Pistol Shrimp and Changing Tanks

For you pistol shrimp people, one thing I'm worried about tomorrow when we make the tank switch is finding the pistol shrimp (I have two who share a burrow). We will be moving the rock/coral out first, then capturing the fish, and hopefully finding and nabbing the pistol shrimp. I'm hoping they'll be exposed when we move everything out, but I know pulling up the rock that's below the sand bed is going to create quite a sandstorm. I also want to make sure I don't squish one when pulling up the rock.

Has anybody dealt with this? OFK, didn't you have a pistol shrimp when you switched tanks?

Thanks!

 

I have never squished one moving rocks around. One would think the goby and the shrimp would be very easy to squish. You're going to have to remove most water so the shrimp should be easy to find once you lift the rocks out.

Good luck.

 

You're right about the sand/detritus storm. I had to pull everything out and then wait for things to settle a bit before I could find the pistol shrimp. The only way I can see either of them being squished is if you lifted a rock up and then happened to drop it on them.

 

About 6 months ago i upgeaded mybtank. We had to catch ane transfer a large tiger pistol. I was dreading it, but he turned out to be one of the easiest to catch.

We simply drained most of the water to about 4 to 6 incges deep. Removed abl the rock. He wasnt happy, and ran right over the edge of the glass where he just sort of stopped and waited for me to cup behind him (they tend to run backwards when they are trying to get away) . He then walked right in with very little coaxing.... Easy.

 

once you caught all your fish try luring him out with some fresh food. they are as blind as a mole but seem to be able to "smell" food skilfully

 

Thanks so much for the tips! We're almost ready for the transfer. I'm still waiting for my helpers to get here (and for =Jwin= to get out of bed)...

 

so sorry I missed this post before now. You are right, I had a pistol and he just kind of hung out in the corner of the tank after I took out all of the rock. Very easy to catch. The one issue I did have was that when I transferred everything back into the tank, I didn't see him - I did have rock with corals in the 20 that I put the fish in....I was worried I'd lost him but he obviously hitchhiked back into the tank inside a piece of rock because he appeared a couple of days later

How are things going??

 

What an ordeal! The transfer is done...it took most of the day with 5 people. We only had a few glitches. Will document everything tomorrow...I'm exhausted! Both of the pistol shrimp made it fine. We were able to capture them after all the rock and coral had been removed. We bagged them and kept them in the QT for a few hours, acclimated them into the new tank, and let 'em go. Once we transferred the fish, we left the lights out...it's been a traumatic day for fish and humans!

 

But soon youll be able to sit back and enjoy the show. Traumatic for sure but they should be happier in their new larger home