Watchman Goby and Pistol Shrimp Owners
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AcanSkywalker
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I'll be following this one closely as I've been thinking about adding this pair myself. My biggest concern is the fine sand (Oolite) in my display. I'm afraid of a constant sand storm.
BrettMallette
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I have a pair in a 5g pico tank. With rock rubble and oolite sand. I find so long as the shrimp has something to hold the burrow together you wont get as many sandstorms. Most of their storms are due to back fill from sand. Will post a pic of my pairs burrow in a second or 2. Can see an entrance but can also see majority of the tunnel network thru my glass stand. I like them in pico or nano tanks. Otherwise ull never see them except for their burrows and if no other fish possibly the watchman standing guard.
BrettMallette
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Not the clearest pics since the tank is overrun by coralline algae
I Take Cars
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Mine are great at construction... rearranges my tank weekly..
Zwogle
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Tiger pistol and Hi-fin are great, when I first put them in they moved around weekly, but for the past few months have stayed put in the same place.
They do cause some sand storms occasionally, when rebuilding or reinforcing their cave, but it's not usually too bad.
I would think fine sand only substrate would cause more of a mess. I used a mix of fine, and small rubble, so the pistol has more solid things to build the walls of the cave with.
They do cause some sand storms occasionally, when rebuilding or reinforcing their cave, but it's not usually too bad.
I would think fine sand only substrate would cause more of a mess. I used a mix of fine, and small rubble, so the pistol has more solid things to build the walls of the cave with.
I Take Cars
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takes my frags and snail and uses them for his structures.. and yes the snails don't like it.
Had this line up in a BC14 for 4 years, with a pink streaked wrasse and a tailspot blenny. No problems at all between tankmates. The ywg was a wimp and I'd see the pistol out un-chaparoned all the time. Hard to keep anything on the sandbed with the pistol's constant excavating, he'd also steal any frags low enough. $20 acan frag dragged into his den, and empty snails adorned the entrance like a pile of skulls as a warning. Very entertaining but I wouldn't do another one.
http://vid1185.photobucket.com/albums/z354/jensforsale1/IMG_2279_zpscbkbfsl5.mp4
First time uploading video, hope one of those will work.
This is my daughter's Yasha Goby and Candy Stripe Shrimp. If you watch the video in slow motion, the goby flicks its tail and the shrimp immediately darts into the hole, then the fish follows. Such a neat relationship between them.
I would suggest that the rocks be in the bottom directly, not on the sand, to prevent a collapse.
If it is an established tank the digging will probably stir up the sand bed. May consider gravel vacuuming the sand before adding them.
The shrimp has rearranged the sand a lot in that area. I would keep any special corals away from there until the pair gets settled in.
She bought the fish first. We poured the shrimp down a plastic tube into the rock the goby stayed in. They immediately paired. I have heard that the outcome is not always that favorable though, I think it is rare for something to happen though.
First time uploading video, hope one of those will work.
This is my daughter's Yasha Goby and Candy Stripe Shrimp. If you watch the video in slow motion, the goby flicks its tail and the shrimp immediately darts into the hole, then the fish follows. Such a neat relationship between them.
I would suggest that the rocks be in the bottom directly, not on the sand, to prevent a collapse.
If it is an established tank the digging will probably stir up the sand bed. May consider gravel vacuuming the sand before adding them.
The shrimp has rearranged the sand a lot in that area. I would keep any special corals away from there until the pair gets settled in.
She bought the fish first. We poured the shrimp down a plastic tube into the rock the goby stayed in. They immediately paired. I have heard that the outcome is not always that favorable though, I think it is rare for something to happen though.
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OP
OP
RMS18
I keep water chemistry as my hobby
Stealing your acans?! This tank is mainly sps and I'm starting with some high end frags slowing moving them off the sand bed. Maybe the goby will work without the shrimp for me... Don't need the shrimp stealing some $100+ sps frags lol.
spiraling
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I have a YWG and candy cane pistol in a 36 gal. I love to watch them, very fun relationship. They make a mess about 6" around their hole, but not everywhere, I have the occasional sandstorm, but not too bad. percula, nem, and various cleanup crew with them.
I Take Cars
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this is the other goby/pistol
Roy 9121
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I had an Engineer Goby for years. He dug tunnels and holes everywhere, but it wasn't that big a problem. I'd get another one, but they get to big for my tank.
OP
OP
RMS18
I keep water chemistry as my hobby
I am thinking of getting a pink spotted. I have a radiant wrasse that takes care of the yellow in the tank. My gf said the same about the gobys face.It's the shrimp that needs the goby, the ywg will be fine alone. I've liked ywg for years, look at that face.
I've had my yasha goby and pistol shrimp for 2 months now. I bought them at the same time and they quickly became best buds. The first couple of days the shrimp created sand storms and huge sand dunes but he then stopped. He occasionally stirs up sand. The pair are fun to watch when they're out...they stay in their burrow for most of the day but they always come out for feeding. I also have a clownfish and a Banggai cardinal in my 10 gal nano but everybody gets along. I haven't seen my shrimp take any frags but he does like to dig under my scoly.
bevo5
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I loved my pair until the pistol got a bit too overzealous with digging and caused a rock collapse. I found the goby with a huge rock just crushing him midway. I moved the rock and he was able to swim out but didn't make it.
Since then (over a year), the pistol has been on his own. He moved under a long piece of tonga laying on the sand and I see him about once a week or so when he grabs a bit of food. I miss the goby though...the shrimp would come out a lot more with the goby.
I just haven't had the QT space to get the new goby yet. I will soon though.
Since then (over a year), the pistol has been on his own. He moved under a long piece of tonga laying on the sand and I see him about once a week or so when he grabs a bit of food. I miss the goby though...the shrimp would come out a lot more with the goby.
I just haven't had the QT space to get the new goby yet. I will soon though.
JasonT
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I have 2 yellow watchman gobys and 2 randals pistol shrimp (my brother gave up the hobby and I adopted) they all live together under the same rock. I am using carib sea ocean direct live sand original grade. The shrimp will often make hills of sand near the 2 entrances but I never notice any clouds and they have never made anything fall over.
