Pistol shrimp

[Reef_Boy-88]

Ok so 2 things. 1 I recently got a pistol shrimp to pair with my watchman goby. I’ve seen his little whisker things ever once in a while. Will he start to come out more and be social? How should I know if he is doing okay…? 2. I found this little “snail” thing in my tank today. Not sure what it was and if it could be harmful so I removed it. But if anyone knows what it was and if it can hurt anything, that would be great. Thanks!

 

[krollins]

The pistol shrimp is probably digging a deeper burrow. It is probably going to come out when it is deep enough.

 

[homer1475]

I see my goby and pistol maybe 3 times a year.

They dig burrows under your rocks, and will stay there for weeks at a time. Only way I know my pistol is still alive half the time, is just hearing it snapping at night.

No they are not social creatures, they will stay hidden 99% of the time.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

The little critters we buy for our tank are not social. Common experience to spend $30-$50 on a critter just to watch it crawl under a rock and then be seen once/twice a year.

 

[homer1475]

I did not see the second question when I initially responded.

Although it's tough to see under all the blue light(for future reference if you want things to be IDed, take them under white lights), but it appears to be either a limpet, or stometella snail.

 

[homer1475]

The little critters we buy for our tank are not social. Common experience to spend $30-$50 on a critter just to watch it crawl under a rock and then be seen once/twice a year.

1 name.....

Purple reef lobster.

I've seen that thing maybe twice in the last 5 years.

 

[Buckster]

I placed the pistol shrimp and watchman goby in my 180. Immediately it went under a turbo snail at the front of the tank and started digging. Once the snail moved, the pistol shrimp moved to the back of the tank and began digging his new chamber. It took about a week before the goby found him and they have been there for about 1 1/2 years. I can only get o glimpse once in a while. Would never get one again!

 

[Raven k]

I see my pistol shrimp quite a lot, I got the bigger tiger pistol as they’re not as shy

 

[Reeferbadness]

i've had a pistol shrimp for about 4 years. I hear him often but see him rarely - only occasionally to come out during feeding time.