Rogue Pistol Shrimp

[Djbetterly]

So one of my first fish purchases was a yasha hazi goby / pistol shrimp combo. According to the LFS they were a pair. Once I introduced them to the tank I quickly realized that probably wasn't the case. The shrimp went one way and the goby didn't follow. The shrimp is now quite large, and I recently spotted the shrimp devouring my goby. I wasn't happy considering that was one of my favorite fish. The goby never hid, was always out swimming.

So my questions is, without removing all of my rock, does anyone have any idea on how to catch this thing? I'd love to get rid of this shrimp. Not only did the shrimp kill the goby, it also kills any additional shrimp I add. I hate this ****er!

 

[Djbetterly]

I guess on the other end of the ordeal I could get the shrimp a larger goby, any ideas?

 

[Gabe]

I'll take it.

 

[Djbetterly]

If I can catch it, its yours. I saw an article about making a birds nest out of fishing line. I might try that. The shrimp is quite large. Seems there are a few other people out there who have had this problem as well.

 

[Gabe]

How big ? 4" ?

 

[Djbetterly]

I'm not exactly sure to be honest...

 

[masterswimmer]

Take a 1 litre soda bottle. Cut off the top section (so it looks like a funnel). Invert the funnel and put it into the body of the bottle. Punch 3 small holes into the funnel/body and secure it with a cable tie. Put some food that the pistol likes into the bottle, submerge it into the tank with the opening near the pistols residence. The pistol should eventually get comfortable with it to swim into it, but can't get back out. Viola`

Russ

 

[jaBX1]

Take a 1 litre soda bottle. Cut off the top section (so it looks like a funnel). Invert the funnel and put it into the body of the bottle. Punch 3 small holes into the funnel/body and secure it with a cable tie. Put some food that the pistol likes into the bottle, submerge it into the tank with the opening near the pistols residence. The pistol should eventually get comfortable with it to swim into it, but can't get back out. Viola`

Russ

Will this work with small fish as well?

 

[masterswimmer]

Will this work with small fish as well?

It absolutely should. Some fish/inverts are more skittish than others, so they may take more time to get comfortable with the trap. You also will likely catch various critters in there before the one you're looking to catch enters the 'jaws of death'. lol

Russ

 

[Djbetterly]

Yeah, thats my worry. I tried that for a night and when I woke up pretty much every snail and small hermit was in the trap.

I assume that every time I move the trap the critter I'm looking to catch gets a bit more suspicious as well.

 

[masterswimmer]

I wouldn't move the trap. Snails and crabs are no big deal going in there. Very easy to remove from the trap and re-introduce into the tank. Eventually (I think) the pistol will make his way in there. Maybe feed the tank less and cause his hunger to make him explore the trap.

Or......break down the tank, remove every rock until you capture him. See my point? Much easier to keep being persistent with the rogue trap and hopefully it'll work.

Just my $.10 minus $.08

Good luck
Russ

 

[ReefFreak1]

The only pistol shrimp that has not eaten my other fish is the randell eye or candy cane pistol shrimp. I had the same issue and lost a yasha, firefish and a few others until I dismantled my tank and got rid of him.

 

[Djbetterly]

Of course, less than an hour into the trap being in the tank, my flame hawkfish somehow managed to fit into the trap.

 

[Djbetterly]

This shrimp is smart....I have video of him actually going inside the trap, all the way, and backing right back out. Is the trap too short in length I wonder?

 

[masterswimmer]

A picture would help. If you're using at least a 1 litre bottle you should be fine. I'd like to see how you've got it set up though.

R

 

[Djbetterly]

Definitely don't have room for a one litre bottle, I was using a 16 oz bottle. Probably the reason for failure.

I was thinking about buying some plexi today and building a trap to fit properly within the space. I could definitely get a larger trap if I did that.

 

[Imbarrie]

Dont know what the problem is unless you dont have a pistol shrimp but a lobster instead.
I have a large pistol matched with a large YWG in the same tank as my yasha goby and randalls shrimp. no problems at all.

 

[Gabe]

I think you should post a pic, so that help you get is a little more accurate.

 

[tomtoothdoc]

if his nest isn't near or under a rock, use two nets and dig down several inches and scoop up the sand and everything. that's how i was able to get mine out.
if his nest is near or under a rock, keep disturbing the nest area until he moves else where. patience is key.

 

[Silkyslim]

If the pistol shrimp you got was a tiger pistol. It is known as they grow there's a chance they'll eat the goby that resides with them.

That said the traps your best bet to get it out.