Dracula Goby / Pistol Shrimp

I read a great write up about creating a small borrow in the sand and putting some small pieces of rubble around it so the shrimp has rubble to build with. Once you do that introduce them as close to that pile as you can.
 
My goby lives in a short piece of 1/2" pipe right now in the QT. I'm pretty sure I can just reach in there, cover the ends with my fingers, carry him in the pipe to the display and release him precisely where I want to, including right into the shrimp's burrow, if it exists ahead of time.

At least that's what I'm hoping .... :)
 
Well the pair came today, I decided to let them do what they want. I did make some areas with hopes the shrimp would go there, but I didn't have any luck.

For now they remain unseen.
 
I've been out of town for six days and I can't seem to find any sign of either the goby or the shrimp. I'm going to stick my go pro in there today and see if I can find any sign in area's of the rock that I cannot see into.
 
So here's the latest update for any followers. The dracula is just fine, eating and all. However I'm pretty sure the shrimp may have been eaten by my flame hawkfish. The shrimp was sooo tiny, probably 3/4in or less. Initially I would hear it snapping, now I haven't heard a snap in almost two weeks.

Honestly I'm not sure how a shrimp that small could dig a hole big enough for the dracula anyway.

So now I need to find a new pistol shrimp. Any suggestions? I know better than to get a japanese pistol this time.

I'd like one larger than the last so as not to have the same issue. Also this time I think I'll place a breeder cage over top of them until the shrimp can get situated.
 
Any pistol shrimp that readily pair with the gobies is probably going to be food for the flame hawkfish. Tiger pistols are bigger and are indcredible diggers, but I don't that they would be any match for a flame hawkfish.
 
So, if you had to choose, would you get rid of the flame hawkfish and get a small pistol? Or keep the hawkfish and go for a more aggressive japanese pistol?

My last experience with a japanese pistol wasn't so good, but if you, MikeandNicole are confident I could pair one with the dracula, then I'm willing to try.

I'm also no opposed to getting rid of the hawkfish, but they are a really cool fish except for their aggressive eating habits.
 
I have no experience with the Japanese pistols so I really can't give you any advice there. As far as flame hawk vs pistol that is really your call. The Dracula will be fine without a pistol so if you wanted to keep the hawk fish you still can. I like the tiger pistol if you want to try something a bit bigger than a candy cane.
 
I currently have a large tiger pistol, pushing 4 inches in size, paired w/ a Randall. I've had the pistol for 2 yrs & the Randall for just over a year. I'm debating giving up the pistol as I've seen him pop at the goby about 3 times in the last few months. I'm suspecting that is what happened to the Yasha he was previously paired with. The Randall seems to put up with much less & I witnessed him pushing a snail shell into the shrimp lol.

I had a conversation with a friend about this last night & he said the goby would be fine w/o a pistol if I decide to go that route. His only suggestion about the pistol was he could be hungry so I have bumped up the feeding of algae wafers. If the goby's already paired with the jawfish he might not care if you add a pistol.

I just find the pistol behavior a little odd since he never bothered my tailspot blenny or any of my other shrimp. I'm hoping the upgrade to the 40 breeder will keep him busy building or the goby has more room & can ditch the shrimp if he decides to.
 
Just out of curiosity, if my dracula were to be in my sump area (i have a solana 34) how long could it survive? I've already found it in there once. I thought I had the whole thing covered but realized today that I missed an area. I'm going away tomorrow and will be back Saturday AM. Just want to make sure if it is in there that it will be ok.
 
Well its been a few weeks and I have my tank completely sealed up for this little jumper. I haven't seen him in a long time. The dracula did like to hide out with the yellow head jawfish, but I never see it come out to eat. Definitely a bit nervous as to its condition. I have some time this week, finally, so I can investigate getting a new shrimp and possibly getting rid of the flame hawk. Not sure what to do at this point.
 
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