Blue spot watchman compatibility

Lifelongaquaria · Jul 4, 2018

My blue spot watchman killed my peppermint shrimp and is taking carcass in and out of it's burrow. Should I worry about my cleaner shrimp?Is this common? Should I try introducing a pistol shrimp? I knew they could be territorial over their burrow but did not expect him to kill any invertebrates being they pair off with the pistol shrimp. Never had one before so am quite surprised.

Reefing Madness · Jul 4, 2018

eatbreakfast · Jul 6, 2018

I would think that the peppermint died and was NOT killed by the watchman. But the watchman is using the body for it's burrow.

mta_morrow · Jul 6, 2018

Any chance it is just a molt from the peppermint, and not the shrimp itself?

They can hide pretty darn good when they molt until they harden up a bit.

nereefpat · Jul 6, 2018

I've kept that species of goby with skunk and fire cleaner shrimp with no problems...if that helps.

Lifelongaquaria · Jul 6, 2018

No he definitely killed it. Think he just got to close to the burrow and was not the right shrimp. Seems to have no interest in chasing down my cleaner shrimp. Done some research it apparently is not uncommon just doesn't happen allot from what I can find.

eatbreakfast · Jul 6, 2018

How are you sure he killed it? They aren't really equipped to do that.

Lifelongaquaria · Jul 6, 2018

I'm not sure as it happened when I was gone. I believe he killed it because he was acting more territorial than usual and it seemed very focused on and around the carcass. I watched him ram the carcass as well as stick his whole mouth around its head much like a lawnmower blenny does when chomping on rocks and such. He changed burrow locations the next day.calmed down to his normal burrow protecting nature the day after that. Unlike the hyper protective fin raised super proud looking behavior he was displaying.

eatbreakfast · Jul 7, 2018

If you gave him shells or rubble for the burrow it would behave the same way. Not aggressive, but trying to move and reposition.

Lifelongaquaria · Jul 7, 2018

It did occur to me that he really doesn't have much to work with and that really is their thing.I definitely plan on getting more sand in as I have a very thin layer now as well as some shell and Coraline rubble. Actually first task I have ever run without Dsb. Really trying to keep things minimalist on this build but seems I must find a bit of a middle ground.