pistol shrimp questions

[michelle]

So I just bought this awsome mushroom rock. Lots of folds and places for things to live. Which is exactly what I said as I bought it. I got home and realized that there is a clicking coming from that rock. I had heard it in the car on the way home with it, but, didn't realize what it was.
I called the lfs and he said there was a pistol shrimp in the tank the rock was in who went mysteriously missing a while ago.
I was online researching the shrimp and found this video:
http://www.aquaristsonline.com/blog/livestock/invertebrates/the-pistol-shrimp/
So I am now wondering if my cleaner shimp or anything else in my tank in danger? Apparently it was a small variety of the shrimp that went missing, grows to about an inch. I also have a baby cleaner shrimp that I am due to pick up next week, I am slightly concerned about it. The cleaner is only an inch long yet.
Any personal experiences with keeping these guys?

 

[Bifferwine]

Before you do anything, I'd isolate the rock and try to see the shrimp. You need to make sure it's really a pistol shrimp and not a mantis shrimp (which also make clicking sounds). If it's a mantis, all your animals (including fish) are in danger. If it's a pistol shrimp, you have little to worry about.

I just can't help but think that the LFS telling you a clicking noise is a pistol shrimp is a good way to cover their asses in case they accidentally sold you a rock with a mantis in it.

 

[michelle]

ok, I do trust this guy at the store, but, I will take your advice, I would like to see for myself what it is. Thanks biff

 

[michelle]

So I put it in a rubbermaid container filled with tank water...now what? just wait? I also laid a shrimp pellet on the other side...

 

[Bifferwine]

Yep, just wait for it to come out. Baiting it with food is a good idea. Try to keep the water habitable (correct temp, a little bit of flow), like a quarantine tank.

 

[yote]

Biffs on the right track.Make double sure that it IS a pistol shrimp before you add that rock to your tank.Maybe your LFS is right and it is a pistol,But I wouldnt take that chance.Trust me on this one.

 

[michelle]

Ok, so i would have liked a better look, but a small red and white flash of something came out and ran back into the rock. It IS supposed to be a candy cane shrimp. (a. randalli)
sound right? Or are there some mantis' with the same coloration?

 

[hibye]

TRy to take the best pics you can.

 

[Bifferwine]

If you can get a look at the body shape, you should be able to tell what it is pretty easily. Mantis and pistol shrimp look VERY different.

 

[hibye]

Pistol shrimp have one big claw and one small one or they have two small ones.

 

[yote]

Pistol shrimp look more like a crayfish(crawdad or crawfish).But there are mantis shrimp with the red and white colors.