Moving a Goby/Pistol Shrimp

Cherish · Aug 12, 2010

I have a red banded goby/pistol shrimp pair that have been together in my 36g for a little over a year now. I want to move them to my new 90g (taking down the 36) but I'm not sure of the best way to go about it. They have a couple of tunnels in the sand under a rock toward the front of the tank.

If anyone has any suggestions I'd love to hear!

Thanks!

gar732 · Aug 12, 2010

I think it will be easier to catch the goby then the pistol shrimp. Even if you get him away from his tunnels the pistol shrimp will just burry himself in the sand. I think your best bet will be to try a fish trap at night. I've never tried it but have been thinking about it myself.

SaraB · Aug 12, 2010

I've moved my pair 3 times. I hope you are breaking down your current tank to move everything because you'll really have to empty out your tank to locate and catch them as they are fast and will try and re-bury them selves immediately

You need to first figure out which rock they are under and then remove all other rocks and items from the tank. Slowly pull up the rock that you know they are under and they usually surface for a quick moment and then start for a chase. If they pistol re-digs, I just scoop up the sand with him as he's digging and then move him to your container. I then catch the goby and place him in the container with the shrimp and then add them together into the new tank.

Have fun, those buggers are FAST!

Cherish · Aug 13, 2010

Thanks, guys! What Sara suggested is pretty much what I planned to do, I just wanted to make sure it wasn't a silly idea. I know exactly where they live so it'll just be about the chase!