Pistol Shrimp & Symbiotic shrimp

[mling]

About over a week ago, I added a Pistol Shrimp to my tank and never got to see it again until last nite when I sneaked down to my tank under the cover of darkness.

The live rock in my tank has many caves and I did expect it to be hiding in one of them. I also believe that they are nocturnal. I was however hoping to be able to see it some of the time.

I know that it has a symbiotic relationship with some Gobies. Would my adding the correct Goby to my tank make my Pistol Shrimp less shy ? If so what type of Goby is best for this purpose ?

 

[fungia]

it is always going to be shy. i think they cant see very well or maybe not at all so they spend all the time hiding and digging their hole. i dont see mine ever, i hear it.

 

[dizzy]

A lot depends on which species of pistol shrimp you have. Some of the pistol shrimps have a symbiotic relationship with gobies and some don't. I don't believe the Caribbean species partner with gobies. The one that goes by the common name of tiger pistol shrimp will partner with most any of the Cryptocentrus spp. (watchman gobies) and some other gobies as well. The shrimp definitely comes out more when partnered with the goby.
Mitch

 

[mling]

Thanks for all the info. It sure did help. My Pistol finally got busy and showed it's face. Looks like I got a Tiger Pistol. It has been busy digging in the many caves of my live rock. It is very interesting to watch it shoval aragonite for these caves and dump them on the outside of the rock.

Now I'll try to find a suitable Gobie.

 

[Tackett]

hey man I have a tiger pistol and I added a yellow watchman goby and they are always hangin out togtether, but now the bad part is that I hardly ever see either of them. They both hang out in their little cave under a rock that they dug out together.

 

[mling]

I just saw a Yellow watchman Goby at my LFS so I'm probably going to get it. Here's hoping that they will be more visible after spending sometime in the tank.

Tackett : How long has it been since you added your Goby ?

 

[Tackett]

Its been about 5 months since I added the goby. But, it was only about a day until they found each other.