Pistol shrimp question?

[Guygettnby]

got a quick question, i got my first pistol shrimp about 2-3 weeks ago and have noticed alot of my hermits are going missing. i also have found abunch of busted shells... do pistol shrimp eat hermits or can they bust shells?

also before people suggest a mantis, there is no mantis in this tank. they are in another tank

thanks

 

[Guygettnby]

so nobody know the answer to this one?......

 

[mamagoose45]

I think the general consensus is that yes, some have been seen beating up on hermits. Not everyone has trouble with them thoughl

 

[LeslieH]

Some of them can - it really depends on which species you have.

 

[Guygettnby]

ok, i kinda figured that but i dont know too much on the behavior of pistol shrimp. the pistol s kinda acting like my mantis and has alittle bone yard in the corner of one of my tanks. maybe i should feed him abit more and he will slow down on killing spree.

i doubt i am going to be able to get a picture of this guy as he never really comes out of hiding unless its night time and as soon as the lights come on he scatters.

what is the best pistol shrimp to have in a tank and to pair together with a YWM goby or twin spot goby?

thanks for the answers

 

[LeslieH]

Alpheus randalli is a good one. It pairs easily with many different types of gobies and is quite colorful.

 

[Guygettnby]

thanks for the help leslie. would it be better to get the goby first and then add the pistol shrimp or add them at the same time?

i added the goby before the pistol shrimp last time and had good luck, but i see some sites selling them as a pair already matched together.

 

[LeslieH]

In the wild the gobies find the alpheids & move in with them. As for tanks, well you had good luck the other way. Maybe some of the others here on RC can add their experiences. If you don't get answers here try posting in the reef discussion forum.

 

[650-IS350]

Some pistols in the wild have been know to take out other shrimp species like large cleaner shrimp. Seen this on discovery channel.