Tropical Fish Forums

[smbrach]

Hello,
I just bought a Tiger Pistol Shrimp and Orange Spotted Goby yesterday. They were paired in the tank at the store. Drip acclimated them and put them in the tank last night. I made sure to place the two together, so they wouldn't "lose" each other. I see evidence of the shrimps busy work and burrow today, but haven't seen the goby. Does the goby go into the burrow?

The other tank mates in my 55 gallon are a False Percula Clown, a 6 line wrasse, 2 chromis, a scarlet cleaner shrimp, a serpent star, a tuxedo urchin, a green mythrix, some dwarf hermits, and variety of snails. Tank parameters are good.

Thanks.

[FloridaBoy]

Yes; the goby (Amblyeleotris guttata) shares the burrow; that is the primary benefit it gets out of the symbiotic deal. The shrimp gets the benefit of the goby's superior eyesight. When the goby spots trouble, they both head into the burrow. It's probably hiding; just make sure you have allowed no space for it to jump out; they are notorious jumpers.

One word of caution; pistol shrimps can send out a powerful little shockwave with that trick claw, and they are known to use it to stun and then prey on other shrimps
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Keepin' marines happy for 25 years

[smbrach]

Right now, my cleaner is twice the size of the pistol. Does that make any difference? Also, I read that the Tiger's are usually OK with the cleaners as long as they are well fed. Have you heard otherwise?

[FloridaBoy]

Hmm, I would think the size difference might be to your benefit, but you never know with animals. Take a look at the second video here:
http://www.aboutfishonline.com/articles/tiger-pistol-shrimp.html
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Keepin' marines happy for 25 years

[smbrach]

I saw that video... after I bought the new pistol. I asked at the fish store, and read about the pistol and the goby in the fish books before I bought them. Thought they would be safe with my cleaner, until I saw that video!

When I put the new shrimp and goby in the tank, I put them on the opposite side of the cleaners cave, hoping that may help keep them apart, but we will see.

I did a little flashlight searching, and the goby is in the burrow. Almost peeked it's head out, so hopefully, when it feels more "at home", it will come out more. Time will tell.

Thanks for your help!