View Full Version : pistol shrimp
amber3k
04/25/2015, 09:04 PM
Pretty sure I have what looks to be a rock dwelling pistol shrimp. I'm finding mixed info on whether or not he's safe to keep with my fish. He's pretty small right now.
gone fishin
04/26/2015, 09:23 AM
I have had one in my tank with a yellow watchman goby for about 4 years. I have not experienced any mystery deaths in my tank. Some folks have reported that they have. Like a lot of things in this hobby you need to weigh the responses and decide what is important for you. Good luck.
amber3k
04/26/2015, 12:22 PM
I want to keep him in there and so far he is much smaller than any fish and seems to keep in his rock. I occasionally see a pincher come out to grab food.
gone fishin
04/26/2015, 12:30 PM
They are pretty reclusive. Sometimes I do not see mine for weeks but, I see new piles of sand around the rock. I don't go out of my to feed him. He seems to take care of himself pretty well.
snorvich
04/26/2015, 04:23 PM
gone fishin, you most likely have a commensal pistol shrimp, e.g. alpheus randall, whereas amber3k has a different type of non-commensal pistol shrimp. I intentionally keep a pair of non-commensal pistol shrimp in one of my tanks (alpheus soror) with no harm to fish. However I am very careful putting my hands in the tank as these guys have a strong protective instinct.
gone fishin
04/27/2015, 08:43 AM
Thanks Steve I learn something new everyday. :thumbsup:
snorvich
04/27/2015, 01:23 PM
Thanks Steve I learn something new everyday. :thumbsup:
Actually, alpheus soror (not so easy to find) are very interesting. Gorgeous coloration, somewhat reclusive, but definitely out and about periodically. There are other noncommensal pistol shrimps as well; I have not tried to keep them. My pair is going on about 5 years.
amber3k
04/27/2015, 02:30 PM
gone fishin, you most likely have a commensal pistol shrimp, e.g. alpheus randall, whereas amber3k has a different type of non-commensal pistol shrimp. I intentionally keep a pair of non-commensal pistol shrimp in one of my tanks (alpheus soror) with no harm to fish. However I am very careful putting my hands in the tank as these guys have a strong protective instinct.
Do they stay in the same area? I have a deep tank, no way can I get my hand even close to where he is now.
snorvich
04/27/2015, 02:35 PM
Do they stay in the same area? I have a deep tank, no way can I get my hand even close to where he is now.
I have an 8 foot tank. They seem to establish a home but do move around a bit. One of the tanks I keep pistol shrimp in is 24 inches deep so I am careful. The other is 30 inches deep so I don't really pay any attention.
amber3k
04/27/2015, 03:21 PM
Thanks. :-)
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