Should I pair a tangaroa Goby with a pistol shrimp?

[randt122]

Hello. I've been stocking my nc6 and recently purchased a tangaroa goby. My question is should I pair him up with a pistol shrimp? I've heard many stories that once they pair up, they usually hang out near their burrow instead of moving around. I'm also concerned about the pistol shrimp making a mess. Would it be better without the shrimp or is it worth it? If I do get a pistol shrimp, which one should I get? I was thinking of getting the randall's pistol shrimp or the Japanese pistol shrimp. Do you think they would pair up? I NEED your comments, please. Thanks.

Here is a pic of the goby:

 

[Nikkoli110]

It really depends on what you want. I had a japanese pistol shrimp paired with a yellow watchman goby for a few months. It was neat to see the relationship. It also was a pain, because my rocks were placed on the sand, and when the pistol would dig, sometimes some of the rocks would fall. I had added the pistol to the tank a few months after the goby, and it only took them a few days to pair up. But once they did, I barely ever saw either of them. I heard the pistol alot, but never saw him. I sold the pistol after I broke down the tank, and barely ever saw the goby again! I mean for a whole month, I never saw him. Then after a while, I saw his little head pop out of a hole when I was feeding. It really depends on what you'd like.

 

[randt122]

ah, what to do what to do.... I think they will look awesome paired up but I'm just too afraid that the shrimp will make a big mess. Besides, what's the point of adding a critter if you can't see it, right? But then again, they would look awesome together~!~! Nikkoli110, did you have to clean the mess frequently? Help me decide......

 

[Jocko]

I don't think "big mess" really does justice to the capabilities of a pistol shrimp. I have to clean up after mine about every 2 days. He usually moves about a cup of sand a day. But if he's in the mood he might dig out an entire corner of my tank in one night.

I got him as a hitchiker on Florida rock, so I don't know exactly what kind he is. He's wasn't a problem 6 months ago when he was little. But now he's like 3 inches long. I think he might have killed a couple of peppermints too.

 

[fanaglethebagle]

I wouldnt buy a nano goby without thinking of a shrimp, but thats just me

 

[Nikkoli110]

No I didn't, but it was in a 29, in a 6 gallon it might be a different story. There was a small pile of sand in front of his cave, but it wasn't a big mess. Other shrimp may be different, though. If I was thinking of doing the same, I would probably skip it, but thats just my opinion. Hope this helps!

 

[dz6t]

pistol shrimp is a known peppermint killer. I use to have a pistol shrimp killed 4 peppermint in a row when the peppermint were introduced into the tank. Within 30 min, all peppermints are stunded and died.

 

[APISTOBORELLI]

I have a pistol shrimp for sale if you want him.

 

[Gina McReeferson]

Just my opinion, but there are few things cooler in a tank to watch like the relationship of a pistol shrimp with his goby. The way the shrimp constantly moves small pieces of rubble to a specific location to keep their burrow tidy, it's amazing to watch.

-Gina

 

[randt122]

Apistoborelli, what kind of pistol shrimp is it and how large is it? I would love to watch the goby and the pistol shrimp keeping each other's company but am somewhat hesitant. Any more opinions?