Pistol/goby choice

[VanIsleReefTherapy]

My stocking plan for my AIO 40b includes a pistol/goby pair. I already have a hector's goby in observation, along with 4 trochus snails. a small scarlet hermit and a cleaner shrimp in my Ego 13.5 QT. I'm struggling to get the Hector's goby to eat pellets or frozen brine. It sifts every little bits of sand and sediment on the bottom of my QT and burrows under a rock I put in a dish of sand for shelter, but hides whenever I try to feed it... This is a factor for me in introducing another fish at this time to compete with it.

Anyway, I've heard people have problems with tiger pistols hunting hermits, small fish, etc. but mostly with burying things with sand. I plan to have a tuxedo urchin, so I've kind of accepted that things will get knocked over, worn as hats and burried. I think it's worth it. But, I can't decide if I should get a candy pistol, (or other smaller variety) vs a tiger.

My Lfs just got an orange-spotted/tiger pair they've offered to hold for me and I'm trying to decide if I should go for it, or wait for a smaller pair and focus on getting my Hector's to eat processed food without competition.

I think I have more than one question here.

1) Should I be concerned about having a large pistol like a tiger, since I plan for small hermits and shrimp?
2) Can I even QT them together with my Hector's and tiny cleaner shrimp in a small tank with one dish of sand and a cool rock with one side that the Hector's burrows in and one side it never goes near?
3) Am I right to be concerned about the Hector being outcompeted by a less picky goby? Should I maybe wait until it eats well and let it be the first resident of the 40b before bringing home the pistol/goby pair?

This is my first tank. Any kind advice about any of these things is welcome, including telling me why you love and/or hate your tiger pistol compared to smaller ones, if you've had both. Thanks!

 

[SlugSnorter]

Pistol choice depends on what watchman you will get.

Non-captive bred Hectors can be tough, and will need pods if they are not eating frozen foods.

 

[VanIsleReefTherapy]

Pistol choice depends on what watchman you will get.

Non-captive bred Hectors can be tough, and will need pods if they are not eating frozen foods.

Thanks for the response!

I took the Hector's back and brought home a neon goby instead. It also hasn't eaten yet, but fed heavily before I took it home yesterday. It's finally stopped acting like a snail on the glass and found the rock to perch on. Maybe it will eat tomorrow. I literally dropped garlic soaked brine on its head with no response.

I considered a YWG with a candy shrimp, but I've also seen orange spotted shrimp gobies with a lighter colour shrimp that look nice. I just don't want a tiger to eat little fish (like the tiny neon I brought home) or other shrimp.

 

[SlugSnorter]

Thanks for the response!

I took the Hector's back and brought home a neon goby instead. It also hasn't eaten yet, but fed heavily before I took it home yesterday. It's finally stopped acting like a snail on the glass and found the rock to perch on. Maybe it will eat tomorrow. I literally dropped garlic soaked brine on its head with no response.

I considered a YWG with a candy shrimp, but I've also seen orange spotted shrimp gobies with a lighter colour shrimp that look nice. I just don't want a tiger to eat little fish (like the tiny neon I brought home) or other shrimp.

captive neon cleaners are pretty good eaters. give it some time. Ive heard some saying they are Ich prone so be careful just in case.

 

[VanIsleReefTherapy]

captive neon cleaners are pretty good eaters. give it some time. Ive heard some saying they are Ich prone so be careful just in case.

It died yesterday, unfortunately. I'm pretty discouraged at the moment. It didn't eat and it looked like something attacked it. All I have is a tiny scarlet hermit, a tiny cleaner shrimp and some snails. It seemed to be doing better before I went to bed, perching on rocks and acting like a fish instead of glued to the same wall for 24 hours... but I guess not.

I spotted a large bristle worm the night before I found it dead in the morning, but they aren't supposed to bother living things. I get that the chunks I saw after it died were probably the bristle worm, though.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Many of the gobies you've talked about are available as captive bred specimens. I would strongly consider going this route -either have your LFS order for you or order directly from Biota, Algae Barn, etc. They will be heartier fish and will usually be used to eating prepared foods.
As for the pistol shrimp, I have a large tiger that I got from a fellow hobbyist. He completely rescapes my sandbed about once a month (looks like a bulldozer came through, lol), steals frags to decorate his cave, and I hardly ever see him, but I've never had an issue with him bothering any other inverts and he and my yellow watchman get along great.

 

[SlugSnorter]

It died yesterday, unfortunately. I'm pretty discouraged at the moment. It didn't eat and it looked like something attacked it. All I have is a tiny scarlet hermit, a tiny cleaner shrimp and some snails. It seemed to be doing better before I went to bed, perching on rocks and acting like a fish instead of glued to the same wall for 24 hours... but I guess not.

I spotted a large bristle worm the night before I found it dead in the morning, but they aren't supposed to bother living things. I get that the chunks I saw after it died were probably the bristle worm, though.

did the fish eat in the LFS? any weird breathing prior? were all params and temp good? did you acclimate the fish? could be a fireworm (they are like bristle worms but predatory), but given the body I think it may be unlikely.