HELP! Goby + Pistol Shrimp question

[VeriasCurat]

So last week I bought a Watchman goby and 2 pistol shrimp (they were friends at the store)...and today I woke up to find the "pistol" portion of one of the shrimps claws floating around. I located the shrimp in the tank and he was swimming fine.

I just went back to check on the shrimp again and now the one with the missing claw appears to have died while the other shrimp and goby are just fine. The only other thing in the tank are some hermit crabs, 2 clowns, and snails so I'm not worried about one of them killing it.

Is it possible that the stress of a new environment caused the two shrimp to not be paired up together and fight? I am now sad though because my girlfriend and I loved both of the shrimp and now only have one
Just trying to figure out what happened. Thanks in advance.

 

[gogo7]

So last week I bought a Watchman goby and 2 pistol shrimp (they were friends at the store)...and today I woke up to find the "pistol" portion of one of the shrimps claws floating around. I located the shrimp in the tank and he was swimming fine.

I just went back to check on the shrimp again and now the one with the missing claw appears to have died while the other shrimp and goby are just fine. The only other thing in the tank are some hermit crabs, 2 clowns, and snails so I'm not worried about one of them killing it.

Is it possible that the stress of a new environment caused the two shrimp to not be paired up together and fight? I am now sad though because my girlfriend and I loved both of the shrimp and now only have one
Just trying to figure out what happened. Thanks in advance.

hello varius, i can help you i think...sorry to hear about your shrimp.
it would help to know what species you're keeping. my experience is with alpheus formosus and alpheus randalls. both have paired up and both have bred.
i have had a female randalls for a few years now. she's killed a few mates over the whiles and finally i've found a mate she hasn't killed. it took me a while to figure out that she was a she. i had my first clutch of randalls babies last week. i keep a dsb, and she is very protective of her lair. the male stays up top while she reigns the elaborate tunnel system she's built and shares with a breeding pair of stonogobiops nematodes. the male rarely enters the dugout tunnels. i know when they are interacting because the clicking is repetitive, quieter (gentler) and sounds like communication instead of alarm.
one thing i've noticed about both species, is when they pair up, they end up have opposing 'pistol' claws. i noticed this with the formosus right away, and confirmed after my male randalls lost his pistol claw. i think she removed it during courtship. it has grown back.
if you're interested in keeping a pair, this little bit of info might help.

one thing i, and probably a lot of other hobbyists, have noticed, is that you have to keep trying if you want any results. you gotta remember that some animals are individuals, and probably don't appreciate being forced into relationships. you could possibly have had two males and they fought.
if you can, try another shrimp with the opposite claws as the one you have.
i'd be interested to know of your results.
i hope that helps you my friend.
gogo7

 

[VeriasCurat]

hello varius, i can help you i think...sorry to hear about your shrimp.
it would help to know what species you're keeping. my experience is with alpheus formosus and alpheus randalls. both have paired up and both have bred.
i have had a female randalls for a few years now. she's killed a few mates over the whiles and finally i've found a mate she hasn't killed. it took me a while to figure out that she was a she. i had my first clutch of randalls babies last week. i keep a dsb, and she is very protective of her lair. the male stays up top while she reigns the elaborate tunnel system she's built and shares with a breeding pair of stonogobiops nematodes. the male rarely enters the dugout tunnels. i know when they are interacting because the clicking is repetitive, quieter (gentler) and sounds like communication instead of alarm.
one thing i've noticed about both species, is when they pair up, they end up have opposing 'pistol' claws. i noticed this with the formosus right away, and confirmed after my male randalls lost his pistol claw. i think she removed it during courtship. it has grown back.
if you're interested in keeping a pair, this little bit of info might help.

one thing i, and probably a lot of other hobbyists, have noticed, is that you have to keep trying if you want any results. you gotta remember that some animals are individuals, and probably don't appreciate being forced into relationships. you could possibly have had two males and they fought.
if you can, try another shrimp with the opposite claws as the one you have.
i'd be interested to know of your results.
i hope that helps you my friend.
gogo7

I forget what species they are but they are opaque with a red band on them. At the store they were hanging out together and I was told they were paired up there..but now since the one has died i can't seem to find the other one or my goby..my guess is they're just hiding somewhere. so now I'm all paranoid that they're all dead i guess since im so new to my reefing i should just keep large things that i can keep track of lol

 

[VeriasCurat]

hello varius, i can help you i think...sorry to hear about your shrimp.
it would help to know what species you're keeping. my experience is with alpheus formosus and alpheus randalls. both have paired up and both have bred.
i have had a female randalls for a few years now. she's killed a few mates over the whiles and finally i've found a mate she hasn't killed. it took me a while to figure out that she was a she. i had my first clutch of randalls babies last week. i keep a dsb, and she is very protective of her lair. the male stays up top while she reigns the elaborate tunnel system she's built and shares with a breeding pair of stonogobiops nematodes. the male rarely enters the dugout tunnels. i know when they are interacting because the clicking is repetitive, quieter (gentler) and sounds like communication instead of alarm.
one thing i've noticed about both species, is when they pair up, they end up have opposing 'pistol' claws. i noticed this with the formosus right away, and confirmed after my male randalls lost his pistol claw. i think she removed it during courtship. it has grown back.
if you're interested in keeping a pair, this little bit of info might help.

one thing i, and probably a lot of other hobbyists, have noticed, is that you have to keep trying if you want any results. you gotta remember that some animals are individuals, and probably don't appreciate being forced into relationships. you could possibly have had two males and they fought.
if you can, try another shrimp with the opposite claws as the one you have.
i'd be interested to know of your results.
i hope that helps you my friend.
gogo7

Upon review it looks like they're randall pistol Shrimp. But I am worried cus I haven't seen my goby maybe he's just hiding

 

[VeriasCurat]

Well....I'm not sure what's doing it because my mushrooms are healthy,my coral is healthy, my 2 false oercs are fine, as are my snail's but now the goby has died. I'm devastated. The shrimp and goby were my personal favorite things in the tank because of their relationship and now I only have a singular pistol shrimp. There's evidence of him digging and such but will he be ok without a watchman?

 

[gogo7]

your shrimp will be fine. don't beat yourself up over the loss.

there are quite a few pretty gobies that will pair with your randalls, take your time and don't rush into it. one thing this hobby requires other than understanding, is time.