Pistol Shrimp experiences

[Reefmedic79]

Posted this in the invert forum, thought I may get more traffic here.


Planning on getting a shrimp goby and a pistol shrimp and have a few questions.

Would the experts suggest purchasing them as a pair, or do they pair up fairly easy, allowing me to purchase them separately?

Are there any issues with the shrimp going after other fish or inverts?

 

[Polahbear]

I bought mine as a pair, but my original goby found an opening and went carpet diving. So I had to get a new goby. It took 2 days for them to find each other but paired up once they got close enough. That second goby didn't fair well when I moved, and eventually died. So i added a third goby, this time, it landed right next to shrimps burrow, and they paired in the first minute in the tank. So If you can only get them separate its no big deal. I know sometimes they sell pairs, but they might not have the type of goby you want.

 

[Taipan]

I currently have a Tiger Pistol Shrimp and a Yasha Goby paired together.

The time line is as follows: Tiger Pistol Shrimp was introduced first and several weeks later I came across a Blue Spot Goby and it paired with the Shrimp within 24 hours. They found each other and began sharing cave space. Blue Spot Goby decided to carpet surf a week later.

I introduced the Yasha Goby and discovered it had paired with the Pistol Shrimp within a few days.

From my own experience; they seem to pair off fairly easily.

 

[tjmoreci]

I have a yellow watchman goby, who was added first to my tank. About a week later, I added a tiger pistol shrimp. I dropped the pistol near the goby's home and they paired up within a few hours. I haven't noticed the pistol going after anything other than an occasional snail who gets too close to his burrow. Even then, the pistol pretty much just picks the snail up and moves him. I have heard of potential issues with other shrimp, though.

 

[mr_bigl]

My experience is similar. Bought a pair and the goby didn't make it. Bought another and they paired up as soon as they found each other. One note. The shrimp are little bull dozers. And I mean the type that run 24-7. So if your rocks are not set directly on the aquarium bottom I'd think twice about the purchase.

 

[roninmagik1]

my pistol shrimp paired up w my yasha haze? (prononciation) pretty quick. got them seperately, and within 1 day they joined up. =)

 

[OrionN]

Shrimps and gobies do not always pair up. It depends on the species. Some pistol shrimps do not pair up with goby. I would not just buy any pistol shrimp and any shrimp goby but do a little research on the species first.

 

[snorvich]

Shrimps and gobies do not always pair up. It depends on the species. Some pistol shrimps do not pair up with goby. I would not just buy any pistol shrimp and any shrimp goby but do a little research on the species first.

That is correct. I keep nonsmbiotic pistol shrimp (alpheus soror) which are quite nice even though they do not pair.

 

[aandfsoccr04]

My yellow watchman goby was in my tank for about 8 or 10 months before I added a pistol shrimp. They were paired up the next morning when I woke up in my 120 gallon tank.