Candy cane pistol, reef safe or not?

[maleks.reef]

Hi everyone. Ive been looking into getting a YWG and a candy cane pistol lately, however, ive come across some sites/forums that say candy cane pistol shrimp are not reef safe. Is that true?
If it is, what are some alternatives?

 

[blaxsun]

The tiger pistol shrimp is supposedly "reef-safe" and recommended.

 

[maleks.reef]

The tiger pistol shrimp is supposedly "reef-safe" and recommended.

What do you mean by supposedly though? You have any experience with it that says otherwise?

 

[Sharkbait19]

Pistol shrimps aren’t not red safe, but will bury/steal corals trying to build their den. As long as you stay on top of that it isn’t much of a worry. Glue everything down to something heavy. At least this is with tigers. Candys do it too, but not as bad due to their smaller size.

 

[Hooz]

The only reason they wouldn't be "reef safe" would be their tendency to rearrange and/or knock stuff (on the sand) over. Otherwise, they're perfectly fine.

 

[maleks.reef]

The only reason they wouldn't be "reef safe" would be their tendency to rearrange and/or knock stuff (on the sand) over. Otherwise, they're perfectly fine.

So having frags on the sand would be an issue with them?

 

[Sharkbait19]

So having frags on the sand would be an issue with them?

Oftentimes. Glueing them to large rubble helps.
It’s actually kind of fun, guessing what will be flipped over by morning!

 

[maleks.reef]

Also, would candy cane pistols get aggressive towards any other fish in the tank? My tank is 30 gals only so im afraid it might kill a fish if that fish comes close to its burrow or tunnel.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Also, would candy cane pistols get aggressive towards any other fish in the tank? My tank is 30 gals only so im afraid it might kill a fish if that fish comes close to its burrow or tunnel.

Candy cane is small and practically harmless. I wouldn’t be too worried about one of those hurting all but the smallest fish.
Tiger may hurt others but usually keep to themselves.
The non pairing species…that’s another story.

 

[maleks.reef]

Candy cane is small and practically harmless. I wouldn’t be too worried about one of those hurting all but the smallest fish.
Tiger may hurt others but usually keep to themselves.
The non pairing species…that’s another story.

Would anthias or a small clown be considered of the "smallest fish"?

 

[Sharkbait19]

Would anthias or a small clown be considered of the "smallest fish"?

Those would be fine. By smallest, I’m meaning more like trimma goby.
Clowns and anthias are relatively large and active, they shouldn’t be at risk unless dead or dying.

 

[blaxsun]

What do you mean by supposedly though? You have any experience with it that says otherwise?

See above comments from other members.

 

[SlugSnorter]

Hi everyone. Ive been looking into getting a YWG and a candy cane pistol lately, however, ive come across some sites/forums that say candy cane pistol shrimp are not reef safe. Is that true?
If it is, what are some alternatives?

Randalls/Candy are the most docile especially with a goby. I have heard bad things about tigers though. This isn't to say that there isn't any danger with them, but they shouldn't cause any issue

 

[Sw33tdave]

Randalls/Candy are the most docile especially with a goby. I have heard bad things about tigers though. This isn't to say that there isn't any danger with them, but they shouldn't cause any issue

I know this is a very old post, but thought I would weigh in. I thought I had done all of my research, but did not realize the tigers were so much more aggressive than the Randalls. My goby did not pair with my tiger shrimp which I think made him more territorial as other tank visitors entered his domain. I have a 15g nano and my tiger killed my skunk, firefish, and a hermit its first week. Super big time bummer, especially the skunk, who was my buddy. I had to take my aquascape apart to get to him and take him back to the LFS where they bought him back at just the whole sale price.

 

[I never finish anythi]

I have a tiger , been in my tank about 8 months with no problem at all.

 

[Sw33tdave]

I have a tiger , been in my tank about 8 months with no problem at all.

It does seem like they can be hit and miss for aggression. Plenty of people here saying they are great and never hurt a soul, which I for sure believe, and then others saying they weren't happy with their tank mates, and were very aggressive. Just comes down to the one you get and likely some unmeasurable tank parameter I am missing.

 

[I never finish anythi]

It does seem like they can be hit and miss for aggression. Plenty of people here saying they are great and never hurt a soul, which I for sure believe, and then others saying they weren't happy with their tank mates, and were very aggressive. Just comes down to the one you get and likely some unmeasurable tank parameter I am missing.

I do feed mine a few times a week .