Any regrets having pistol shrimp/goby pair?

Eva Rose · Jul 9, 2018

I have a new tank and I'm ready to add a goby. I had a YWG before & really enjoyed them without a shrimp.
Anyone regret getting a pair & why?

bsn_rn_cen · Jul 9, 2018

None at all. They are my favorite.

Tmm87 · Jul 9, 2018

They're great additions to any tank. Just make sure you add in extra shells of varying sizes or small pieces of dried/dead coral. In my 120 my pistol would steal frags that were on the sand and drag them into the burrow. I've since downgraded and my new pistol leaves the frags alone in favor of the rubble and shells.

They will make piles of sand in your tank like a sand sifting goby as well.

The only real con to them is depending on where they decide to make their burrow you may never see them.

bubbaque · Jul 9, 2018

I love having the pair in my tank. The only time I could imagine someone regretting them, is if they have the tank in their room at night while they try and sleep. You will hear the occasional popping noise.

Pmj · Jul 9, 2018

They do kill your CUC and make a graveyard fortress with the shells. Only downside is having to refresh your snails/crabs every so often.

Eva Rose · Jul 9, 2018

I had read about the frag stealing and sand burrowing so I was curious.

Edp251 · Jul 9, 2018

I have 2 pairs and they are favorites. Only regrets is the constant re-landscaping. Mostly harmless. They usually undercut things until they collapse and start over somewhere else.

lion king · Jul 9, 2018

I had a pair and although I did enjoy them, I wouldn't do a pistol shrimp again. I had a tiger pistol, I didn't mind the snail killing but he did steal some nice frags. You can remedy that by placing your frags out of reach or gluing them down. The reason I wouldn't keep another tiger pistol shrimp was the sand storms and covering up lps on the sandbed like my plates and brains.

NoWaiAma · Jul 9, 2018

Love em. And hate em. Mostly love em. Haven’t seen em in a week since rescape after getting two fish out. Burrowed WAY deep.

FDAWG · Jul 10, 2018

I can’t have any corals within 12” from their burrow or they will either bury it or use it as a door for their home

NoWaiAma · Jul 10, 2018

SuncrestReef · Jul 10, 2018

I love watching mine!

ectoaesthetics · Jul 10, 2018

I typically include a Yasha and pistol in my tanks. Never had any issues. Never even had them go after my smallest of snails. Never had them remove frags... but all mine are typically glued into place pretty early. I don't think I ever put any near their openings. Hands down my wife's favorite things in my tank.

ArialReef · Jul 10, 2018

The only thing I regret is the amount of time I've spent watching them do their thing [emoji23][emoji23]

bsn_rn_cen · Jul 10, 2018

I have a favia that smelled like death when I got it and was bleached. I moved it down to the sand to shade it last week. No problems. Wake up this morning and it is gone...

FDAWG said:
I can’t have any corals within 12” from their burrow or they will either bury it or use it as a door for their home

Eva Rose · Jul 10, 2018

SuncrestReef said:
I love watching mine!

Great video!

NoWaiAma · Jul 10, 2018

bsn_rn_cen said:
I have a favia that smelled like death when I got it and was bleached. I moved it down to the sand to shade it last week. No problems. Wake up this morning and it is gone...

You’re kidding me.. I really really don’t want to evict...