Concerned about Pistol Shrimp

[Trust]

Hi everyone,

I have small aio tank (5g aio sump and 15g display) that has been doing pretty well so far, I keep mostly euphyllia and stylophora and there are many critters such as clowns, porcelain crabs, snails and hermits.

About a month in a noticed I had some small hitchikers, that I never got out with my initial efforts to remove unwanted stow aways. One is a pistol shrimp that looks just like this (below) though not as large yet. When I first saw him he was much smaller but has been growing very quickly suddenly, and must have gone through a molt or two in maybe just a few weeks.

I think all sorts of critters are cool and am neutral to the inclusion of most, but I am really worried primarily that this one will be a threat to my other inverts or fish, or even corals. I have not had any incidents yet but as he gets larger I am more and more concerned.

tldr;
Is this something I should worry about? And if so, what are the common suggestions for removing these types? They are lightning fast and because the tank is relatively small, it makes it even harder to try fast meanuvers for fear of damaging corals.

I have a small tank to put him in where I have a brittle star and other inverts that I did not deem safe enough for my main tank so he does not need to be killed or anything just for being around, and I plan to move him there, but ultimately I really don't want the guys in my display tank harmed, and he is quickly approaching being the biggest thing around.

Thanks so much for any advice or tips.

 

[rayadog]

I think a lot of people would say buy a trap or make a homemade bottle trap. The latter is basically just a funnel that’s hard to get out of. However, it’s totally up to your vibe. I like to think I am in the same sentiment too, all creatures created equally entertaining. But you can curate what that means obviously and when there is a tipping point.

I think I have a tiny stow away that held out somehow on a recent rock order. I have a trap ready… but I kinda feel like I should wait for an egregious need. I.e. 50% of my clean up crew is decimated or something; I don’t know yet. I am surprised you’re even seeing yours it seems.

They are a little easier to catch when they’re little in the sense that when they flex their tail to propel they don’t go as far; but they have to flex it more and can make a more jittery b-line. So waiting you’ll likely be stuck baiting a trap. They can harm your invertebrates like snails and crabs. I’m not familiar with coral but I’m sure they moved them at the very least.

 

[Crabs+Shrimps-69]

I wouldn't risk it, especially in a small tank.
There is also risk of the tank shattering.