Goby and pistol shrimp?

[bkstang]

I am prepared to get a goby and a pistol shrimp. I've recently redone my aquascaping so the rocks sit at the bottom of the tank. I've always wanted a goby and a pistol shrimp so I would need some advice from people who have this pair. What kind of goby would work best and should I buy a "mated" pair or it doesn't matter. Also, I have a coral banded shrimp+blood shrimp. Are they OK with this pair?
Thanks.

 

[Tranquil201]

Not sure if someone answered this for you. I have a Yellow Watchman Goby and a Tiger Pistol Shrimp. I purchased them separately. When you take them home acclimate them together in the same bucket or acclimation box if you have one. When ready to release in your display just try to put them together in the same spot. The pistol shrimp will normally go right to work once in the tank digging a burrow for safety and the goby should fall in and start going on watch duty it's a fun thing to watch. They share a symbiotic relationship they need each other for survival in the wild as the shrimp is practically blind. I see you mentioned you re aquascaped which is a good move before as the shrimp will not only have one burrow but will tunnel throughout the substrate and make multiple openings. Don't be alarmed if you see an opening closed. The shrimp closes and opens entrances all the time. The pistol shrimp have never bothered my other inverts for instance 2 skunk cleaner shrimp. Be pre-pared for the sound of his snaps. The snaps are normally when he's warning to stay away from the burrow and also from what I've read can also be a mating call as well. I think they are a great addition and they are always busy and up to something. If you have any other questions let me know. Hope this helps.

 

[bkstang]

Thanks for your comment. I got Randall's Goby and Candy Stripe Pistol Shrimp last week on Thursday. I acclimated them separately but I released them in the same spot. The shrimp was digging a burrow and the goby stayed in this spot for a while then all disappeared. I can see the burrow and some entrances to it barricaded with some sand and stones but the goby is nowhere to be found. I saw the shrimp for a moment yesterday and everyday the stone arrangement is different so it looks like the shrimp is alive and working but I didn't see the goby for a week. I have a tank cover so it didn't jump. How long they can survive like this? Is there anything I can do?

 

[Jhoehlein]

When you take them home acclimate them together in the same bucket or acclimation box if you have one.

Careful doing this, many fish stores medicate their fish systems with copper or other invert-killing compounds, and may also be running it at low salinity. Acclimating them together is a great way to introduce them before releasing them into the display but double check with the LFS that the water in the fish bag isn't going to hurt the shrimp if you mix them together in the same bucket.