Watchman goby and pistol shrimp

[Impala67]

I have a question about the yellow watchman goby and a tiger pistol shrimp. I’ve had the goby for about three weeks now and I just added a pistol today. My question is how long will it take for the two to notice each other? The goby is in the display and the shrimp is behind the rock scape. How do I get each other to meet and how do I get them to pair up?

 

[homer1475]

I bought mine paired up, but put them in the display at different times. Took them about a week to find each other.

 

[Impala67]

I bought mine paired up, but put them in the display at different times. Took them about a week to find each other.

As of now I can’t find either. I think I know where the shrimp is but I cannot find my goby I’m a little concerned!! He didn’t come out for food or anything so I hope I see him in the next few days!

 

[happyhourhero]

Mine paired up pretty quickly. Id give it a few days and depending on the size of your tank, you may not see them too frequently.

 

[homer1475]

Yeah I never see mine. The goby maybe once a week if I'm lucky, but haven't seen my pistol in months. I know he's alive because I can hear him snapping at night.

 

[Impala67]

Yeah I never see mine. The goby maybe once a week if I'm lucky, but haven't seen my pistol in months. I know he's alive because I can hear him snapping at night.

Still no sign of either I see three entrances shouldn’t the goby be at one of them? Or does he always stay in the tunnel he hasn’t come up to eat in a few days and I’m very concerned?!!

 

[Impala67]

Well guys I think this story has come to an end! Today I saw my craps going after something under a rock and I pulled this guy out. Then when I removed it I found a tube, inside was the pistol shrimp. I do feed clams to my tank and I don’t know if a pistol shrimp would eat those and my goby is still alive but I think he’s dead. What happened why did he die?

 

[Impala67]

Bump

 

[ROB2005]

Can I ask what is that in the pic? Forgive my ignorance.

 

[Impala67]

Can I ask what is that in the pic? Forgive my ignorance.

Oh sorry it’s the carcass I pulled out I know it’s probably past identification.

 

[ROB2005]

Oh sorry it’s the carcass I pulled out I know it’s probably past identification.

Oh, was it the goby or the shrimp?

 

[Impala67]

Oh, was it the goby or the shrimp?

I’m not sure if I was the goby or something else. The shrimp is fine. I pulled it out of one of his tunnels but I’m not sure if it’s a clam I feed the tank or if it’s the goby

 

[ROB2005]

The yellow watchman I have right now has been known to hide himself for up to 2 weeks at a time, before he and his shrimp buddy get to digging again.

 

[kent78]

The yellow watchman I have right now has been known to hide himself for up to 2 weeks at a time, before he and his shrimp buddy get to digging again.

i got one watchman, 2 week now but only seen him came out at night, looks he is scarely.

 

[Lividfanatica]

A couple of things:

• Young YWGs will often swim around the tank (near the top) and can make their way into overflow boxes/filter socks or jump out of the tank
• The fish and goby will often find each other naturally over time, when I introduce one to the other, I try to place them in the same burrow to jumpstart the process (especially in a large tank)
• As others have mentioned, YWG's and Pistol shrimp can be very shy, especially when not paired with a buddy

If you have not found a YWG body... there is still hope. I thought one of my pistol shrimp was dead for about 6 months (in a 24 gallon). To my surprise, he showed up one day! Check the tank at night and see if you can spot anything. Also, check your overflow, crash box, filter socks, etc. to see if he snuck in there (or jumped out of the tank).

Good luck and happy reefing!

 

[Impala67]

A couple of things:

• Young YWGs will often swim around the tank (near the top) and can make their way into overflow boxes/filter socks or jump out of the tank
• The fish and goby will often find each other naturally over time, when I introduce one to the other, I try to place them in the same burrow to jumpstart the process (especially in a large tank)
• As others have mentioned, YWG's and Pistol shrimp can be very shy, especially when not paired with a buddy

If you have not found a YWG body... there is still hope. I thought one of my pistol shrimp was dead for about 6 months (in a 24 gallon). To my surprise, he showed up one day! Check the tank at night and see if you can spot anything. Also, check your overflow, crash box, filter socks, etc. to see if he snuck in there (or jumped out of the tank).

Good luck and happy reefing!

Well I see the pistol shrimp in his burrow shouldn’t I see the goby either out guarding or in the burrow? Plus the carcass I removed from the whole. I’ll give it a month and if I don’t see him I’ll probably buy another one!

 

[Impala67]

You will never believe who’s alive!!! I was trying to catch my Lawnmower blenny and I lifted a rock and sure enough! I can’t believe it still lol

 

[ROB2005]

You will never believe who’s alive!!! I was trying to catch my Lawnmower blenny and I lifted a rock and sure enough! I can’t believe it still lol

Look at that! They are surely good at hiding lol.

 

[SlugSnorter]

I have a question about the yellow watchman goby and a tiger pistol shrimp. I’ve had the goby for about three weeks now and I just added a pistol today. My question is how long will it take for the two to notice each other? The goby is in the display and the shrimp is behind the rock scape. How do I get each other to meet and how do I get them to pair up?

they will notice each other immediately, but can take some time to pair up. a week or two is normal, but its not at all uncommon to have significantly more or less

 

[Impala67]

they will notice each other immediately, but can take some time to pair up. a week or two is normal, but its not at all uncommon to have significantly more or less

They apparently paired up immediately!! That’s why I thought he was dead!! Well I’m excited. Any tips on keeping these guys happy other than what I’m doing?