tbs pistol shrimp and watchman goby?

[markush]

This is my first of probably a few posts regarding TBS liverock. I've just about got all the bugs worked out of my new 90g setup and I'm about ready to place an order with Richard.

My first couple of questions are...considering the size and depth of the sand from TBS, would this make a good home for a watchman goby? And also, is the species of pistol shrimp that i may get as a hitchhiker one that would form a symbiotic relationship with a watchman goby?

Just one more for now...are the pistol shrimp considered a pest towards inverts or certain types of fish?

 

[Untamed12]

As far as I know, Pistol shrimp are considered desirable. I'm not aware of any problems caused by Pistol shrimp.

 

[Kgoarmy17]

I have a pistol and watchman and they seem to do great together.

 

[wickedfood]

he's asking is if a TBS (florida gulf) pistol shrimp would form a symbiotic relationship with say a watchman goby, which is obviously from different waters. i've wondered the same thing. anyone know??

 

[Kgoarmy17]

My pistol shrimp came from a piece of Florida LR. The pistol is about an inch or so long now. When I received the rock I had no clue he was even in it. My watchmen is a full size male. Hope this helps.

 

[wickedfood]

but do they share a den together??

thanks.

 

[bfuqua]

Does your pistol shrimp snap a great deal? I am afraid we might have our 3rd Mantis as there is a great deal of clicking in the tank after the lights go out. What ever it is doesn't like to snap very much in the light!

 

[markush]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9591367#post9591367 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wickedfood
he's asking is if a TBS (florida gulf) pistol shrimp would form a symbiotic relationship with say a watchman goby, which is obviously from different waters. i've wondered the same thing. anyone know??

Yeah that what i'd like to know. I'm also curious if the larger sand/rubble that comes from TBS is suitable for a goby to burrow in.

 

[Kgoarmy17]

Yeah.... they come out of a couple of dens that they share....They both seem to be pretty happy...

As far as the clicking....there is some clicking but it is not all the time... it starts right at the time the lights go out but then stops shortly after...

Hope this helps..
K rudolph

 

[siren]

I have a watchman goby and pistol pare as well, but mine is a candy stripe pistol, not one I recieved from my TBS. As far as pairing up, I don't know if they will, or otherwise. Worth a try I suppose. If yuo do go the route to trying, catch the pistol, and buy the goby. Put them in the same container for about 2 days and see if they pair up. As far as just dumping a goby in there and hoping that the goby will find the shrimp and be symbiotic in the tank...Thats not likely.

As far as if they cause problems, like most inverts, pistol shrimp are opertunistic feeders, which means that when they get big enough, if they can catch a small goby or something, they will. But that is also unlikely. Especially if you have a watchman with it. The watchman should fend off any fish that get close enough to get eatin.

Hope the helps!
Richard