Lobster found.......

[JKLUSAF]

I've also discovered a lobster that must have been imbedded in a piece of live rock, i thought i had a brisle worm disturbing the sand under my rock, but after some many nights waiting with a flash light i notice that this creature having pinchers.

This lobster has one good size pincher on one side, and the other is much smaller. he's about alittle bigger than a inch long. this guy is just disturbing up the sand bed between my live rock.

Should i try to catch him and take him out? just don't want this guy hurting any fish or coral.

Justin

[roscozman]

We used to have a Red Hawaiian Reef Lobster in our 125gal. He was cool looking, but... he ate a few of our fish. The last straw was when he had our Mandarin fish in his mouth one morning. Once we got rid of him we have not had anymore problems.

[Jonthefishguy]

Are you sure its a lobster? Your discription sounds more like a pistol shrimp.

[justahobby]

one big claw one small claw, yep sounds like a pistol shrimp. They are more commonly found as hitch hikers. Heres a really neat video on em. This video doesn't make them look very reef safe, but alot of people seem to keep them without incident.It seems like the people that try to take them out just dont like the popping noise at night.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKPrGxB1Kzc

[msmith619]

Your lobster is a pistol shrimp. Look them up on the internet. They live in crevices or sand caves under the rock. One pincer is much larger that the other. You maye hear a "popping" sound at night when he pops that claw. It is used to stun prey with the sound wave that big claw makes when he pops it. Lots of people buy them for their reef tank. He is a "good" reef inhabitant and may help by eating bristle worms.
Mike

[JKLUSAF]

your right, i've heard the clicking sound many times, and i've searched all over thinking it was a pump or something mechanical. never thought it was in the tank. how would i catch it so i can get it out of my tank?

Justin

[speer]

I have a tiger pistol and he is one of my favorite inhabitants. He is paired with a yellow watchmen goby and really interesting to watch. I haven't had any real issues with him.

[JKLUSAF]

Mine looks like a tiger

Justin



I have a tiger pistol and he is one of my favorite inhabitants. He is paired with a yellow watchmen goby and really interesting to watch. I haven't had any real issues with him.

[msmith619]

I copied this from this fish web site: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497+525+1148&pcatid=1148

Don't get rid of him, you got a neat surprise addition! :)

Quote:

The Tiger Pistol Shrimp may also be called Symbiosis Shrimp and Snapping Shrimp. The body is tan with rust colored broken stripes running across the back. These beneficial shrimp will constantly move gravel making them excellent sand stirrers in the reef aquarium, as well as scavenging any uneaten food.
The sound it makes comes from an appendage on the pincher which moves when the pincher is opened or closed and water is ejected. The Pistol Shrimp can be easily confused with Mantis Shrimp if judged by sound only. Unlike the Mantis Shrimp, it is not harmful and will not pose any threat in the tank, with the possible exception of very small shrimp.
The name Symbiotic Shrimp comes from the equally beneficial relationship the Pistol Shrimp has with gobies (e.g. Amblyeleotris or Stonogobiops). The goby, with better eyesight, warns the shrimp of predators. The shrimp share its food with the goby. Tiger Pistol Shrimp thrive in environments with sand, rock caves, and dim light. If in pairs, one will often stand guard at the burrow while the other is inside. The Pistol Shrimp are intolerant of copper or high nitrate levels, but need a correct level of iodine in the water to promote proper molting. Pistol Shrimp will accept any meaty freeze-dried and frozen foods and bottom feeder tablets