Can I keep a YWG without a pistol?

[One Reefing Boi]

I have the pair but my tiger pistol is wrecking havoc in the tank. Buries my Illuminati Zoas nightly in an inch of sand, killed 2 hermits and a astrea snail, and tbh kind of over it for the time being.
My LFS will take him back but I have a yellow watchman. Will the yellow watchman be ok without the pistol?

 

[K7BMG]

I have the pair but my tiger pistol is wrecking havoc in the tank. Buries my Illuminati Zoas nightly in an inch of sand, killed 2 hermits and a astrea snail, and tbh kind of over it for the time being.
My LFS will take him back but I have a yellow watchman. Will the yellow watchman be ok without the pistol?

I don't see why the YWG would have issue alone.

In fact they often don't pair up.

 

[Mike N]

Your YWG will be absolutely fine on its own. No need to worry.
You could add a red stripe pistol (much smaller) and hope they meet up.

 

[One Reefing Boi]

Your YWG will be absolutely fine on its own. No need to worry.
You could add a red stripe pistol (much smaller) and hope they meet up.

Like this guy?

Candy Stripe Pistol Shrimp, Red Banded Pistol Shrimp - Alpheus spp.

Candy Stripe Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus spp.) is also known as Red Banded Pistol Shrimp, Randall's Pistol Shrimp.

www.bluezooaquatics.com

I do like them, but burying my Illuminati colony every freaking night is a no no lol

 

[Mike N]

Yep, thats the one.
They are smaller, so don't move as much sand as their bigger cousins.
Mine builds his cave entrances up and leaves the rest of the tank alone.

 

[stiffljp]

They will be. I have 3 TWG in my tank and thought it would be cool to have them pair up so I added 2 shrimp, needless to say there are 5 caves

 

[schuby]

I currently have a YWG (Yellow Watchman Goby) without a pistol shrimp. Had him for about a year and a half. He lives under some of my rock (no cave).

In a previous tank, I had the same for multiple years (don't remember exactly, something like 3-5 at least).

 

[Biglew11]

Gobie will be fine without a pistol shrimp. +1 on the candy cane pistol shrimp if you want a shrimp + gobie pair. Mine builds the entrance up a bit on the end of the tank with no corals. He leaves the rest of the tank alone.

 

[Zionas]

I’ve been wondering the same lately though I’m still quite keen on getting a Tiger Pistol (the Candy Cane is harder to find in my place). What are the chances that the shrimp and goby won’t pair up? Is it a frequent occurrence?

How often in the wild do shrimp gobies live their entire lives without a shrimp to form a relationship with?

 

[KingTideCorals]

A fish I have contemplated recently...

They DO NOT require a pistol shrimp, but this symbiotic relationship they have with one another is good and beneficial for BOTH of their health. Fun to see the pairing as well..

 

[Zionas]

Thanks for reaffirming my decision to get the shrimp. I’ll be getting it a week after I get the goby.

 

[BeltedCoyote]

This pair always cracks me up. It’s like a pet having a pet lol

 

[Zionas]

I read from Scott W. Michael’s book “Reef Aquarium Fishes” that sometimes Dartfish will share a burrow with the shrimp and goby pair. Haha. One can wonder how grumpy the goby will get.

 

[vetteguy53081]

In my case yes- have the yellow without shrimp over 2 years as my flame hawk would eat the shrimp

 

[Difrano]

I read from Scott W. Michael’s book “Reef Aquarium Fishes” that sometimes Dartfish will share a burrow with the shrimp and goby pair. Haha. One can wonder how grumpy the goby will get.

My 2 firefish go to sleep in the cave with 2 YWG and a shrimp... thats what I call swingers.. .
If you want to have YWG without a shrimp, provide him with enough caves and hiding, they don't make burrows or move sand.

I love them you can follow the history of my YWG in my build thread.

On this picture you can see my male and female YWG guarding the pistol cave

 

[Zionas]

I’m definitely getting a Pistol for my YWG or others kind of goby, but cool to know that your Firefish share a burrow with the gobies! Would love it if you shared pics.