Info on Pistol Shrimp/Goby pairings

[bph0013]

I have what I think is a Alpheus Heterochaelis pistol shrimp. Can anyone tell me what the best natural goby symbiot is supposed to pair with these or direct me to a website where I might find that information. I'd like to get him a goby partner and want to make sure it is an appropriate species.

 

[LeslieH]

If it's really an A. heterochaelis and you want a shrimp & goby pair then I suggest you take it back to the LFS for a trade in. This particular species is not commensal with gobies and in fact, small gobies are part of its diet. It will pair up with another A. heterochaelis of the opposite sex but will be antagonistic to everything else. Typical prey items are worms, other shrimp, small crabs, and small fish. Probably not something you want in your tank.....

Better choices would be Alpheus randalli & A. bellulus & both will accept several different species of gobies as their partners.

 

[bph0013]

oh, that's good to know, hopefully I can get it out. It seems to live peacefully with everything right now including a couple of peps, a skunk shrimp, porcelain crabs and the fish. Hopefully it won't turn mean. It was a impulse buy at the LFS, should've researched it first. I've had it for over a year though.

 

[bph0013]

I would like to positively ID him before I remove . Is there a website or sites where I could find that info? It is roughly 3-4 inches long and is a muddy green color, which is why I thought he was A. heterochaelis. What do you think? Also thank you for the reply.

 

[LeslieH]

There's a nice pic at http://www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/sertc/images/rollovers/Alpheus heterochaelis.jpg
and a short description at http://www.sms.si.edu/irlfieldguide/Alpheu_hetero.htm

Sounds like he's proved himself to be a model citizen & worth keeping.... or else your other inhabitants are just too large for him. After a year of good behavior I'd keep him.