Goby and Pistol shrimp idea

Jessi · Jul 27, 2012

I got thinking about some cool build ideas for a pistol and goby pair, what if you took some pvc pip and before you actually got your sand and live rock in build a tunnel system, you would have to cut a few inch holes randomly and place screen over it to get flow in the pipe. You could make it so the tubing could help support you rock work, or keep the pair from actually burrowing under your rock work because the pipe would be in the way of the shrimp. you could even fill the tunnels with sand to give the shrimp something to work at but make sure there's a slight angled entrance to the system hidden carefully under or near the rock work make sure a little sand is removed so the shrimp can find it? I was getting this idea out there if ppl had any suggestions or if they think it's a bad idea, i might try it myself if everything workout!

Bluejawtrigger · Jul 27, 2012

It's not a bad idea. People do it for a lot of fish, eels etc. just make sure it's secure and the rocks are solid. Clean the pipe really good. It might be overkill, since they can build a tunnel themselves. But it'd be a fun project, something to do. Make sure you post some pics.

jikm2187 · Jul 27, 2012

I love my goby-shrimp pair. They are so cool to watch. However, On my next build they will not be included. They decide where my frag plugs go, they pull mini colonies of zoas and move them where they want to. I have watched my yellow watchmen nudge a acro off the rack for my shrimp to take into their tunnel. It is a really cool thing, But I have lost 5 various sps and 2 ricordea to them. Just my opinion.

Cl0ne1 · Jul 27, 2012

OR, you could put the rocks directly on the glass and place the base rocks before you add the sand. Then build the rocks up on the base rocks. I did that in my 55 gallon in anticipation of getting a pistol goby combo. I had a candy stripe pistol and hi-fin goby combo in a 6 gallon...AWESOME. So I knew when I was planning my 55 that I would need to prepare it for a pistol shrimp. I will not have another reef tank without a pistol.

Funny thing about pistols and corals jikm2187...I had some sympodium on a short round rock on the sand bed. One day I heard a bunch of popping, so I went to find out what was going on. The pistol shrimp was mowing the lawn...cutting the tentacles/fingers off of the sympodium. AHAHAHA...*****. So I moved the rock further away from the shrimps hole and didn't have any more problems.

Tank you for your time,

Kevin