Pistol shrimp - ID and care questions

[Safir]

Here is my pistol shrimp - came as a hitchiker on some gulf rock and i have some questions regarding it's species and care:

I know the picture isn't great, but it's the best i've been able to get, here is a link to the high-res version if it helps any:
http://freebmw.net/safir/Aquaria/46G_Bow/Pistol 002.jpg

it is MAYBE 3/4-1" long, bright green transparent claw, clear body - legs may be green or clear, hard to tell, it's so small.

any ideas on species, or places i can look for an ID? I'd like to read about it a little more if possble.

I have a ~4 gallon nano set up that I would like to dedicate to this pistol so that I can observe it better than in my main tank - it is living in my sump until the nano cycles.

What should I put in the nano to provide the best, habitat for it? I've read that pistol shrimp usually live in burrows in the sand, but this one seemed to prefer the rock it came on - I have a few choice pieces of LR i plan to put in it's tank, but the question is how much sand should I give it? just enough to cover the bottom, since i've never seen it in the sand, or does it need an inch or two to be happy?

also, I have read about the symbiotic relationship between some pistol shrimp and some gobys - if this shrimp is likely to form such a relationship with a goby what kind, and do you think my nano will be too small for it to live in?

and possibly most importantly, is there anything i've forgotten to ask about this animal or it's care?

 

[jaymz101]

Gulf of Mexico?? from TBS?? Probably an Alpheus spp. Those are the locals around here. ID to species requires a microscope but can be done.

Try this site:

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=16&cat=1905&articleid=2139

Its mostly about the ornamental Caribbean Alpheus species, but care should be very close if not identical.

As for the ID, this is the most common snapping shrimp in the gulf of Mexico:

http://www.sms.si.edu/irlfieldguide/Alpheu_hetero.htm

They'll need 3-4" of sand and some stable rockwork and low lighting (small PC would be great...I never thought Id say that) They are very active excavators. As for symbiosis, most of the local gobies are pretty drab, but any Caribbean Shrimp goby should do the trick. Nano should be fine as long as you dont add anything else. Should make for a very cool species tank.

 

[LeslieH]

Although I don't know exactly what it is I'm pretty sure it's not A. heterochaelis. Look at the difference between the big claws on the two animals. Safir's animal has a rounded smooth while the claw in the other animal is sculptured.

Alpheids have a number of different life styles. Some are shrimp symbiontes (this isn't one of those), many species live in sponges, some build sand burrows, and others prefer crevices in rock, shell, & coral. Safir's animal is a crevice dweller. They prefer to stay in or close to their homes for safety.

 

[Safir]

Thank you for the input - i thought it was strange that it kept to the rocks, since i've only ever heard of burrowing pistol shrimp...

I have some sand and a few small pieces of choice LR i will give it out of my main display, I hope it will feel more secure in there and come out a little more often...

the rocks are in my sump waiting for it's tank to cycle.