Thoughts on Pistol Shrimp

officialreefbros · Jan 8, 2022

I've been looking into getting a pistol shrimp to eventually get a HighFin Goby for it to pair with. I have a 25 Gallon Peninsula and eventually want to have 2 clowns, peppermint shrimp, and various snails/CUC.

What are everyone's thoughts on pistol shrimp?

Heres_doe_ · Jan 8, 2022

They make a nice noise any time of the day lol they use frags as doors for their caves and move sand all over the tank and flip frags over

Spare time · Jan 8, 2022

I love pistol shrimps

Karen00 · Jan 8, 2022

I would agree with all of the above and I love my little guy despite his acquisitions! He's a Candy Cane Pistol paired with my Hi Fin. He also confiscates every spare shell I put out for the hermits. I couldn't figure out where he was putting them until I realized he has built the most spectacular and elaborate retaining wall around the main entrance to their burrow. Honestly, it rivals a structural engineer's design. All intricately pieced together. I've been trying to get a pic but it's located on the back side of the tank. He has never bothered any of his tank mates.

legionofdoon · Jan 8, 2022

Mine is a murderer of any invertebrate that comes near his home.

shakacuz · Jan 8, 2022

my candy cane pistol is alone currently. the two yasha goby’s i’ve got whom paired with it died a mysterious death. i’m thinking perhaps liveaquaria mislabeled them as captive bred when they were wild caught, perhaps…

i don’t have experience with a tiger pistol but i’ve read more commonly that they are jerks more than they are nice

jwyatt22 · Feb 19, 2022

So...I have a pistol shrimp and want to add peppermint shrimp to help control aiptasias.
Will the pistol leave the peppermint alone?

shakacuz · Feb 19, 2022

jwyatt22 said:
So...I have a pistol shrimp and want to add peppermint shrimp to help control aiptasias.
Will the pistol leave the peppermint alone?

i have a cleaner shrimp and pistol. neither know of each other’s existence

BanjoBandito · Feb 19, 2022

My tiger is a bulldozer. He's constantly working. Helps keep the sandbed clean and mixed. He's a fun guy to observe too. Make sure your rocks are secure, he'll dig em out. He also will blast any pesky hermit that comes too close. Which for me, is hilarious to see a hermit go flying. They usually are no worse for the wear.

The biggest thing I think is their eating habits....my tiger has a rock that he "cultivates" for what I assume is algae and stuffs. I try and target feed him pellets or mysis when I can. They are defiantly easier to handle with a paired goby as it makes them a bit bolder and less skittish.

Wick · Feb 19, 2022

I've had a tiger pistol shrimp and he was cool. he would SWIM at night in the tank darting around. Was also paired with a watchman goby.

officialreefbros · Feb 21, 2022

Awesome! I think I'm going to go with a red banded and a yasha goby! Anyone keep one with a nem?

Drummingbaker2010 · Mar 8, 2022

Heres_doe_ said:
They make a nice noise any time of the day lol they use frags as doors for their caves and move sand all over the tank and flip frags over

Drummingbaker2010 · Mar 8, 2022

Pistol shrimp will often pair with a select goby, but it is better if you can introduce them at the same time rather than one by one. As long as you are able to feed the pistol shrimp, he will not likely bother any other inhabitants of your tank.

Heres_doe_ · Mar 8, 2022

Drummingbaker2010 said:
Pistol shrimp will often pair with a select goby, but it is better if you can introduce them at the same time rather than one by one. As long as you are able to feed the pistol shrimp, he will not likely bother any other inhabitants of your tank.

He doesn't but he is still bad and moves everything around

Joe31415 · Mar 8, 2022

My candy cane is only visible when I'm feeding. He pokes his head out of his cave, always directly behind his goby, and bolts back in if it sees anything moving. I hear it a whole lot more than I see it. Considering how tiny it is, I'm always surprised at how loud it can be.