Pistol Shrimp

Care Summary

Pistol Shrimp are best known for their symbiotic relationship with goby fish, and the pistol shrimp and goby pair is one of the most popular and rewarding partnerships you can set up in a reef tank. They need a sand bed of at least two to three inches to dig their burrows, and pairing them with a compatible watchman or amblyeleotris goby will result in a behavior display that never gets old to watch. The snapping sound they produce is harmless but audible, and while it can startle new fishkeepers it is completely normal and not a sign of stress or aggression. They are scavengers that will find most of their food on their own, but spot-feed meaty items near the burrow entrance a few times a week to ensure adequate nutrition.