Multiple pistol shrimps?

Fishfreak2009 · Dec 28, 2021

Anyone keep multiples in the same tank? I currently have an Alpheus armatus (curlique anemone pistol shrimp) living in the rockwork, and an Alpheus randalli (candy cane pistol shrimp) in a burrow with a yellow watchman goby and a firefish. My tank is a 75 gallon (48"x18" footprint). I also have a pair of aurora gobies, and was considering either adding a couple more candy cane pistols, or a tiger pistol. Is this a bad idea? Or do you think it'll be fine?

a.t.t.r · Dec 28, 2021

They seem fine together as long as they are not over crowded.

shakacuz · Dec 28, 2021

my first candy cane pistol was bought from live aquaria, then i bought another from reef cleaners... my original pistol bullied the new pistol out of his burrow and the new pistol quickly became a meal for my yellow coris wrasse.

i have seen posts of people with two pistols and two gobie's happily coexisting with each other, and some who don't. i personally believe if they are all introduced together, they are more likely to get along.

OrchidMiss · Dec 28, 2021

I had 2 in my 20g AIO when it was still a 10g, and they were great!
I moved everyone over to the 20g, and I haven't seen the second one since.... I see one regularly, so I think he may have eaten the other one...?

Fishfreak2009 · Mar 8, 2022

Figured I'd update this with a picture of my curlique. He built a burrow next to my maxi mini anemone, and was previously living in a hole in the rock besides my bubbletip anemone. My candy cane pistol lives in a burrow with a bunch of other gobies on the far side of the tank (75 gallons) and the 2 have had no issues with one another.

Tankkeepers · Apr 10, 2022

Usually no not a good thing to have 2 of

Fishfreak2009 · Apr 10, 2022

Still doing just fine together. Curlique lives next to a maxi mini anemone, candy cane lives with 2 aurora gobies, a firefish, a yellow watchman goby, and a fourmanoiri tilefish all in the same burrow.

So long as they have space and you keep them well fed, it should be a non issue.

Here is a pic of the curlique from earlier today.