goby/pistol shrimp

[onthecourt4life]

how long does it take for a pistol shrimp and a goby to pair up.

[Musho3210]

its like asking how long does it take to cycle....

[Snowboarda42]

Anywhere from a few minutes to never. It totally depends on the types, conditions, tank, rockwork, other livestock, and even both the critters themselves.

A way to kind of "force" the two to pair is to buy them both at the same time, put them in the same bag, acclimate them as one, then put them in a jar of some sorts (small is good), put a piece of 1/2" PVC 45* elbow under a rock with an end sticking out just a little, get as much sand out from the PVC as you can (maybe even attach a little straight piece), and put the open end of the jar over the PVC for a few minutes (doesn't have to be perfect fit or sealed over the whole). They both should go for the dark place to hide.

[yellowwatchmen]

I tried that it worked out great.

[Sk8r]

2 secs flat, with mine. They clicked to signal the goby, and that was that. Each shrimp went to the appropriate goby: the candycane to the highfin and the tiger to the ywg.