Watchman Abandoned Tiger for Bullseye??

[Apollo7235]

Hi there all!

I recently added a not-so-Yellow Watchman Goby and her paired Tiger Pistol to my tank along with a Bullseye Pistol.

Since adding them, the Bullseye has stayed well away from the Goby-Tiger pair after an initial shoot out where both shrimp walked away seemingly uninjured.

This morning, I fed everybody and saw all three animals. The Goby and Tiger had moved their burrow pretty close to the Bullseye's hang-out, but all still seemed to be well. I began hearing the beginnings of the Wild West Show about an hour ago, so naturally, I had to take a peak. Would you believe that the Bullseye was hanging out in one of the entrances to the pair's new burrow? I know the Goby and Tiger are still in there because the Goby had her head peaking out of another entrance when I saw the Bulleye in their burrow. I also know that the Tiger is still alive because I've been hearing faint cracks from the burrow since I saw the Bullseye at one of the entrances (their 'shots' sound distinctly different, believe it or not).

I also noticed that one of the two pistols must have molted last night considering there is a large husky looking something floating around in the tank. Maybe the Tiger molted and the Bullseye decided to move in while the enemy was vulnerable?

I was under the impression that Bullseyes do not pair with shrimp gobies... and I--

Okay wait, UPDATE.

The Tiger has been banished from it's burrow and has now taken up residence in the Bullseye's old digs while the Bullseye and the Goby are sharing a burrow??

Can someone please tell me what is going on in this circus I call my reef tank to-be?

For reference, this is a 38-gallon tank.

 

[Apollo7235]

Well, I'm pretty flabbergasted. After this morning's foolery, the Watchman seems to have completely abandoned her Tiger Pistol in favor of trying to host the Bullseye. The Watchman continues to attempt to scoot her way in with the Bullseye but the Bullseye continues to reject and shoot at her each time she tries.

Hahaha, good Lord. I have been trying to get this on video considering how crazy it sounds, but they are back behind some of my rockwork and it's next to impossible to get a good shot.

Has anyone heard of this? Will the Bullseye eventually kill the Watchman if it lands a good shot?

I was already planning on getting another shrimp goby (Randall's specifically, as soon as my LFS can get one in), but I certainly wasn't expecting any of this. The poor Tiger is in its own burrow on the opposite end of the tank and it looks so dejected. Sincerely hoping it will survive without it's old pal considering how aggressive the Bullseye seems to be.