Pistol Shrimp Reef Safe?

[malx]

I'm looking into getting a pistol shrimp for my Goby but I'm concerned he may bother the inverts that hang out in the sand bed that I already have which are..

Conch Snails
Nassarius Snail
Fromia Starfish
Emrald Crab
Pom Pom Crab

Anyone have experience with this livestock combination?

Let me know,
Joey

 

[Sk8r]

They can. THe emerald might be in danger. His own fishy partner can be. I was real upset when mine took out his goby partner and several other fish.

 

[malx]

They can. THe emerald might be in danger. His own fishy partner can be. I was real upset when mine took out his goby partner and several other fish.

Yeah I'm thinking that it may be best for the Goby to be alone forever haha.

 

[ssick92]

I have had 3 goby / pistol pairs over my reefkeeping time (3 different tanks) and I have yet to have a pistol harm any other tank mate, whether it be other shrimp, the goby, or any other invert.

I might have just gotten lucky, but I have in my 10g and he still doesn't bother anything even in such a confined space.

I should note that they have all been Yellow Watchman Gobies paired with a Tiger Pistol Shrimp.

 

[malx]

I have had 3 goby / pistol pairs over my reefkeeping time (3 different tanks) and I have yet to have a pistol harm any other tank mate, whether it be other shrimp, the goby, or any other invert.

I might have just gotten lucky, but I have in my 10g and he still doesn't both anything even in such a confined space.

I should note that they have all been Yellow Watchman Gobies paired with a Tiger Pistol Shrimp.

I think I'm going to QT a Tiger Pistol and Emerald Crab for a week in my 10 gallon Nano. If the Pistol does not harm the Emerald, I'm hoping it's a good one.

 

[Half Vaped]

My Tiger Pistol seems to hate Emerald Crabs and snaps at them when they get too close. I'm not sure if it ever killed one, but it certainly tries. But it has definitely killed some smaller snails and hermit crabs. And uses their shells to decorate their burrow. It's fine with bigger snails and hermits and I never saw it bother my Skunk Cleaner and Fire Shrimps or my Red Brittle Starfish.

My Randall's Pistol Shrimp grows to less than half the size of the Tiger and has never bothered other inverts as far as I can tell. They're also a lot more reclusive than the more outgoing Tigers.

I think both are great additions and I don't mind replenishing the CUC. The behavior with the Goby is really worth it. Another concern is that I find unpaired Shrimp Gobies are more outgoing and active than when they pair up with a Pistol Shrimp. My Wheeler's used to explore all over the tank until it paired up the Tiger. Now it's never more than a couple body lengths outside of one of their burrow openings. I still think it's worth it.

 

[mandarin_goby]

My 3 pistols don't mess with: nass snails, hermits, emerald crabs, sand sifting star, 2 urchins, pom pom crabs, sexy shrimp, fire shrimp, cleaner shrimp, peppermint shrimp, 2 conch snails...basically, they don't bother anything in my tank

 

[cheucklate]

Speaking from experience, I wish I never purchased a pistol shrimp. My tiger pistol routinely steals small nassarius snails into his burrow(s), never to be seen again. He snaps at least once every day, sometimes jump scaring me.

If you get one, try to get the smaller species randall's pistol may be a safer bet.

 

[malx]

Speaking from experience, I wish I never purchased a pistol shrimp. My tiger pistol routinely steals small nassarius snails into his burrow(s), never to be seen again. He snaps at least once every day, sometimes jump scaring me.

If you get one, try to get the smaller species randall's pistol may be a safer bet.

Thanks for all the tips everyone! I'll look into the Ramdalls!


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[neiltus]

I have a pretty big one of the gulf variety (came with TBS rock) and he is pretty boring. At dusk he may show himself at the base of his hole. I give him a mysis about once a week and he has never really went out of his space. Still have the same snails and conchs I started with. Has not bothered emeralds/porcelains/peppermint/cleaners.

I guess feeding him turned him into a welfare shrimp-he just waits for his weekly check.

 

[Ogi]

@neiltus I nearly ****ed myself laughing at your comment.

 

[Reefer40b]

I have a Randall also and he has not hurt anything in my tank so far... He did drag a dead nassaris snail into his hole (he never comes out of have to shine a light to see him). My flame tail blenny on the other hand killed that snail, hes got some fangs on him attacks my finger through the glass all the time.

 

[malx]

Lolllll welfare shrimp!!


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[neiltus]

Lolllll welfare shrimp!!


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If you notice, one hand is larger than the other.

 

[johnike]

2 Pistols and a whole bunch of Gobies here.
Everyone gets along fine, Pistols bother nothing.

 

[Soluent1]

I have three pistol shrimp. Yashia goby and Randal shrimp/ high fin red banded goby with another Randal shrimp in one tank. Yashia goby and tiger pistol in another. All are peaceful. The only problem is that I might go for a week without seeing a pair! They tend to be very secretive. Only one of the gobies will venture very far from his hole and that is at feeding time. Interestingly, he and his shrimp have constructed their burrow so that it is visible through the side of the aquarium. Fun to watch!

 

[madweazl]

I have a tiger pistol paired up with a Randall's goby and they bother nothing. If your sand doesnt have any pebbles or other larger items to fortify his walls with, you can expect them to look for replacement items (ie shells, frags, etc.). From my experience, tiger pistols tend to be the most bold and are pretty comfortable spending time out of the burrow. Wouldnt trade mine for anything.

 

[snorvich]

The commensal pistol shrimp are harmless.

 

[Joe0813]

I had a pistol watchmen goby for two years and never had a issue

 

[Jollyg97]

The only thing my pistol gets aggressive with is the sandbed lol. Really though they are a great addition to any tank especially with a goby, makes it so they both come out more often. Very fun to watch and good sand stirrer, wouldn't be without one.