Will a pistol shrimp

[puffer32]

bother a sexy shrimp? If that works, can I just get 1 sexy or do they need to be in pairs? These would be for a nano tank.

 

[mudplayerx]

A pistol shrimp won't live long unless you have a deep sand bed for it to create a burrow, and that isn't really possible in a nano tank. Also, sexy shrimp are found in nature with a host anemone, so make sure you have appropriate lighting for one.
However, all species of pistol shrimp may not need a deep sand bed, so if someone knows of one that can be kept in a nano, please correct me.

 

[teen]

how deep is the sand in your nano? my carribean pistol only dug a hole about an inch or two deep, and my sand bed is about 3 or 4 inches in most areas.

 

[puffer32]

It has about 4 inch sandbed. Its a 15 high, so a deep bed was no problem.

 

[puffer32]

So i can't keep sexy shrimp without an anenome? I saw them for sale on a web site and it said an anenome isn't needed :notsure:

 

[mudplayerx]

Originally Posted by puffer32
So i can't keep sexy shrimp without an anenome? I saw them for sale on a web site and it said an anenome isn't needed :notsure:

You can keep them without anemones, they just tend to live only about 1/2 as long. They feed on the anemone (without harming it). They also get very stressed without one and mostly hide where you can't see them.

 

[puffer32]

Ah, I see, well i was thinking about upgrading my lighting anyway, any recommendations on what amount of lighting i would need to keep one in a 15H?

 

[mudplayerx]

Originally Posted by puffer32
Ah, I see, well i was thinking about upgrading my lighting anyway, any recommendations on what amount of lighting i would need to keep one in a 15H?
For an anemone you need intense lighting. Metal halide is best, but I believe a retrofit canopy of power compacts or VHOs will work as well.

 

[actionjack]

Could sexy shrimp live in an anenome with a clown also?