Extricating a pistol shrimp

[IowaReefer]

Hi All -

I am breaking down a nano that I know contains a small hitchhiker pistol shrimp that I have often heard, but never seen. I don't want to kill it when I break the tank down and dry the rock. Any ideas on how to coax it out?

 

[Ed D]

Try looking at night with a red LED light and siphon out with large enough hose when you see him.

 

[Sullyman]

If you want to coax him out, what better than a sexy shrimp?
I'd use Ed's red light but just to find out what rock it lives in. Usually they'll pick a hole in a rock at the sand bed and they often put pieces of rock rubble and empty shells in front of it. They also burrow and could have a few tunnels.

 

[IowaReefer]

Hmmm... I guess I should have noted that it is a friend's tank which has been neglected for a time and is overrun with hair algae. This pretty much eliminates any chance of me seeing a tiny shrimp in the garden. I remember reading something a long time ago about pouring soda or hydrogen peroxide onto rocks to send critters scurrying. Does anyone else know more about that?