Pistol Shrimp

[mbowker]

How on earth do you keep a DSB undisturbed with a*$#-%
pistol shrimp make tunnels. This thing came in on a live rock. he is cool but he works non stop, disturbing what im not supposed to be disturbing. The question is, should he stay or should he go. Thats a song isnt it.

 

[farslayer]

Try getting a ground-dwelling gobie. Pistol shrimp form symbiotic relationships with some types of bottom-dwelling gobies and that may keep him from messing up too much. Gobies serve as lookout for the shrimp who in turn shares his food with the gobie. I have a yellow watchman gobie paired off with a purple pistol shrimp and they are very established under a rock and do not disturb anything. It is amazing to watch them, so keep the guy if you can.

 

[nm reef]

I keep a tiger pistol in my display and he does burrow/tunnel a lot. But it is primarily in one location and I don't believe he does serious damage to the sand bed. I've tried to pair him up with a goby but so far no luck. My display is a bit larger though and mine has more room that yours so that may be partially why I don't believe mine causes much damage. I seldom see mine but I can usually tell where he is and sometimes I can manage to tempt him out for a look. I've tried several r times to get a decent pic but so far no luck.:thinking:

 

[mbowker]

I have a 150 gal, he isnt causing Much damage, other than his digging, I did aget a yellow watchman goby, they paired up instantly, If he isnt hurting the sand bed process, he is more than welcome in my tank, I see him everyday, pushing like a snow plow, he is amazing to watch, tires me out!!!

 

[farslayer]

Well heck, if he's just digging around in one area then I'd just let him be. They are really cool creatures, my wife always gets a kick out of it when he starts his popping sounds, usually when an emerald is cleaning on a rock near his turf. He doesn't fight with anything in my tank and is simply fascinating.