My LFS is showing me a paired Amblyeleotris randalli (Randall Goby) and an Alpheus bellulus(pistol shrimp) . I have seen the pair and watched the symbiotic relationship and it would be a cool addition to my 240 Gallon . The sand bed is average 2.5-3" deep. I have a 4" Opistognathus rosenblatti (Blue-Dot Jawfish). I am concerned with any issues the Pistol shromp will have with any of my fish. I understand they may go after a snail now and then. But is it likely they will bother other fish, including the Blue Dot. I have seen videos of them capturing other reef inhabitants. Can any one share their experience or expertise?
Fish Compatibility
- Thread starter RB Chagoi
- Start date
velvetelvis
Active member
Just re-read the question...I don't know about this particular species of pistol shrimp. I've only kept the tiny "candy cane" pistol shrimp. I've never heard of A. bellus being aggressive towards other fish, but I have heard of them going after other pistol shrimp. You might want to also post this question over on the inverts board and see if you get more responses. Good luck!
I had a yellow watchman and whatever pistol that went with him...I don't remember the exact one. I also had a healthy happy blue spot. One day, my blue spot disappeared. About 3 days later, I saw his head pop out of his hole, but it was extremely pale. Eventually he came out after about 1 week and was missing his entire tail. You could see bone showing, and the fin was completely gone. He did live from this. My best guess as to how he lost his tail was that he backed into the wrong hole one time, as they often do, and the pistol stunned him. When he woke up, much of his tail was gone. He was never the same fish...
Now I have a watchman and no shrimp. I am much less worried about my bluespots.
Now I have a watchman and no shrimp. I am much less worried about my bluespots.
readmeli
Do you see me SMIZING?
I'd only be concerned with not really seeing it much in such a large aquarium - they're little guys. 
It's a great pair to have though! Here's a nice article about this type of pairing you might like to see, but with a different goby - http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2010/03/aquarium-shrimp/
It's a great pair to have though! Here's a nice article about this type of pairing you might like to see, but with a different goby - http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2010/03/aquarium-shrimp/That is the same pair I keep in my 210. I've had the goby for close to 3 years now but the shrimp has been with him for less than 1 year. Adding the shrimp really made the goby much bolder, so much so that I have seen him go after my rather large Radiant wrasse when he gets too close to the burrow, and the Radiant is one tough fish.
I dont have any jawfish in the system but have several smaller fish ranging from a tiny cleaner goby, small Mandarin, and several small basslets and have never witnessed any encounters. I do occasionally hear the pistol snap but never have noticed anything amiss so I rarely pay it attention any longer.
The shrimp dug the burrow in the front corner of the tank and they have not moved from that location since they have been together. The goby is always visable standing guard at the burrow entrance and when the shrimp is in work mode he is easily seen dozing sand and maintaing the burrow.
Very, Very cool addition and I would highly reccomend the two as a pair, even in such a large tank.
I dont have any jawfish in the system but have several smaller fish ranging from a tiny cleaner goby, small Mandarin, and several small basslets and have never witnessed any encounters. I do occasionally hear the pistol snap but never have noticed anything amiss so I rarely pay it attention any longer.
The shrimp dug the burrow in the front corner of the tank and they have not moved from that location since they have been together. The goby is always visable standing guard at the burrow entrance and when the shrimp is in work mode he is easily seen dozing sand and maintaing the burrow.
Very, Very cool addition and I would highly reccomend the two as a pair, even in such a large tank.
