pistol shrimp pairing

[sandiegan]

Question for anyone in general, or NicoleC in specific...how would you go about pairing pistol shrimp? Anyone know?
Also, any pointers as to how one would go about raising them? In specific, about how long will it take before they settle out and what foods should they start on (phyto? s rots, l rots? bbs like sexys)? Thx in advance.

 

[NicoleC]

I didn't make my pair, but as far as I know they can change sex both ways -- so any two makes a pair if they get along. I don't know that for sure, though.

I don't anyone has tried to raise them. I have looked for info, but to no avail.

 

[Peter Schmiedel]

Nicole,

did you mix up the shrimp and the goby? To my knowledge shrimps can not reverse their sex.

You can sex all shrimps easly as the males have clusters on the first pleopds.

Depending on the species you want to keep different ways apply. In my tank for small shrimp gobies (S.nematodes, S. yasha, Flabelligobius sp.) I added 10 Alpheus randalli and lets them sort it out. Their need for space is limited due to their size. The small size also makes it very difficult zu sex them.
The Alpheus bellulus group is normally the one which is found most in trade and its size makes it easy to determine the sex. But I still prefer the find "pairs" which are sitting already together. That's how I managed to find two pairs.

Here is my shrimp pair with one of the A.randalli (wrong color balance )

Here you see one good, but the antenna of no 2 is to see on the left:

BTW I did underestimate the space these shrimps will need. The above shown pair has 60x60 Centimeter where it constantly moves incredible amounts of gravel.

So far it did not see any eggs on one of my pairs, but there rather cryptic live style makes it difficult.

 

[NicoleC]

Yes, my goby pair is living with my shrim pair. They have their own tank; it's a happy foursome.

Interesting info about the sexing.