Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus bellulus)

[L.A.]

I bought a Tiger Pistol to pair with my Pink Spotted Watchman Goby about 2 years ago. They paired up immediately and I've honestly barely seen them since as they stay in their under-rock tunnel system pretty much all the time. The only reason I knew they were alive and well is because i'd hear him 'snap' and the Goby would peer out of an opening for a couple minutes a day. Well, I just realized about a week ago that I don't remember the last time I heard the shrimp snap and my Goby has been out and about everyday almost all day so I guess my question is... When do I officially declare the shrimp dead and get the Goby a new friend :confused: ? Does anyone know the general lifespan of Pistols?

 

[L.A.]

Yep that is what they do.
What other fish you have in your tank?
Good question on the lifespan. ;)
:p

hahaha

Too many fish but right now I have:
Pink Spotted Watchman Goby
Potter's Leopard Wrasse
Melanurus/Hoeven's Wrasse
Lineatus Fairy Wrasse
Sixline Wrasse
Magnificent Foxface
Yellow Tang
Yellow Candy Hogfish
Ruby Red Dragonet
Pair of Clarkii Clowns
& an evil Flameback Angel

 

[Diesel]

hahaha

Too many fish but right now I have:
Pink Spotted Watchman Goby
Potter's Leopard Wrasse
Melanurus/Hoeven's Wrasse
Lineatus Fairy Wrasse
Sixline Wrasse
Magnificent Foxface
Yellow Tang
Yellow Candy Hogfish
Ruby Red Dragonet
Pair of Clarkii Clowns
& an evil Flameback Angel

WOW....... that is a impressive fish list.
How's the sixline holding up?
Due to the amount of fish your pink watchman might be still a bit shy, don't worry about the shrimp as these are born blind they can't see and that's why the pair up as the watchman is the eyes of the shrimp.

 

[bubbaque]

Curious as well. I never see my pistol making new tunnels anymore. I use to see piles of dirt moved around but not anymore.

 

[L.A.]

WOW....... that is a impressive fish list.
How's the sixline holding up?
Due to the amount of fish your pink watchman might be still a bit shy, don't worry about the shrimp as these are born blind they can't see and that's why the pair up as the watchman is the eyes of the shrimp.

Thanks and the sixline is an angel, surprisingly. He really just keeps to himself and picks at rocks and whatnot. The Goby is definitely not shy. He's the OG of the tank and has made it through a tank crash, velvet and basically the worst of the worst. He's the first fish I ever got and he's been the last one left standing. I'm pretty sure he'll outlive us all! When he's out he definitely lets everyone know who's boss if they get too close to his cave, ha!

 

[Diesel]

Do you have a FTS of your tank?
You got me going now :rolleyes:

 

[L.A.]

Do you have a FTS of your tank?
You got me going now :rolleyes:

June 2015, a few months post crash & re-scape:

and now a year later, taken today:

I guess I forgot about the chromis..

It's nothing too fancy but it's definitely come a long way! :D

 

[Diesel]

That is AMAZING tank.
Love the time laps you did.
Can you tell a bit more about you tank like lights, sump, pumps, do you have a special brew for your great corals?

 

[L.A.]

That is AMAZING tank.
Love the time laps you did.
Can you tell a bit more about you tank like lights, sump, pumps, do you have a special brew for your great corals?

Thank you so much! And of course!

Currently:
-ATI Sunpowers, running 4 Blue Plus, 1 True Actinic, & 1 Coral Plus (This was switched from the AI LED's about 6 months ago (?) and everything started blowing up in the tank and having crazy growth.)
-1x Vortech MP10
-1x Vortech MP40
-Skimz Monzter SM161, iirc
-40g sump
-Bubble Magus Dosing pump (dosing Calcium & Kh)
-JBJ ATO
-Digital Aquatics Reefkeeper Lite

As far as feeding the corals go, we use LRS Reef Frenzy, Cyclops, PE Mysis & Calanus, Rod's Food, Dr. G's LPS & SPS Max, Oyster Feast, (basically anything the fish get, they get) and we're about to start adding in the Phyto and/or rotifeast nightly to see if that stimulates more growth from the SPS because some of them seem like they're at a stand-still, but other than slow growth they seem fine. So before we start moving them around and irritating them, i'd rather ee if something else will work first. Everything else is on rotation. Basically a sheet of Nori and and the equivalent of about a cube to a cube and a half of food is put in per day and maybe a little extra for the corals once or twice per week. We've been having a nitrate problem and just replaced the RO-DI unit and all of the trash cans AND cleaned out a significant amount of the equipment used and it's finally starting to climb down slowly so hopefully we'll be able to start feeding a little heavier soon. *fingers crossed* BUT, we did just stir up some of the sand bed because it's a little grimy up against the glass so that mayyyyy be playing a small (big) part :rolleyes::p

 

[Triggreef]

Well that was unexpected. Beautiful tank!!

FWIW I think you have plenty of room for another shrimp even if the original is still there I would think they'll find their own space in there.

 

[Diesel]

Thanks for the info.
Keep up the good work.
Do you have a build thread on R2R?
If not it's not to late to make one, it's a good way to see progress and many members can learn from your tank too
Thanks for taking the time to give all that info.

 

[Tahoe61]

Absolutely beautiful tank, thanks for sharing.

 

[L.A.]

Well that was unexpected. Beautiful tank!!

FWIW I think you have plenty of room for another shrimp even if the original is still there I would think they'll find their own space in there.

hahaha Thank you! and I think that's probably what's going to happen! Hopefully my rockscape can handle it!

Thanks for the info.
Keep up the good work.
Do you have a build thread on R2R?
If not it's not to late to make one, it's a good way to see progress and many members can learn from your tank too
Thanks for taking the time to give all that info.

Thank you! and I do, however i'm awful at updating it. I'll try to be better, but sometimes i'm just all over the place with what to update with :eek:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/105g-reef.202724/ but here's the link.

Absolutely beautiful tank, thanks for sharing.

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it!

 

[Reef Nutrition]

Thank you so much! And of course!

Currently:
-ATI Sunpowers, running 4 Blue Plus, 1 True Actinic, & 1 Coral Plus (This was switched from the AI LED's about 6 months ago (?) and everything started blowing up in the tank and having crazy growth.)
-1x Vortech MP10
-1x Vortech MP40
-Skimz Monzter SM161, iirc
-40g sump
-Bubble Magus Dosing pump (dosing Calcium & Kh)
-JBJ ATO
-Digital Aquatics Reefkeeper Lite

As far as feeding the corals go, we use LRS Reef Frenzy, Cyclops, PE Mysis & Calanus, Rod's Food, Dr. G's LPS & SPS Max, Oyster Feast, (basically anything the fish get, they get) and we're about to start adding in the Phyto and/or rotifeast nightly to see if that stimulates more growth from the SPS because some of them seem like they're at a stand-still, but other than slow growth they seem fine. So before we start moving them around and irritating them, i'd rather ee if something else will work first. Everything else is on rotation. Basically a sheet of Nori and and the equivalent of about a cube to a cube and a half of food is put in per day and maybe a little extra for the corals once or twice per week. We've been having a nitrate problem and just replaced the RO-DI unit and all of the trash cans AND cleaned out a significant amount of the equipment used and it's finally starting to climb down slowly so hopefully we'll be able to start feeding a little heavier soon. *fingers crossed* BUT, we did just stir up some of the sand bed because it's a little grimy up against the glass so that mayyyyy be playing a small (big) part :rolleyes::p

Glad to see that you have incorporated our products into your feeding regime, and that's quite a regime! Let us know if you have any questions about our products. Beautiful animals!

Chad @ Reef Nutrition

 

[L.A.]

Glad to see that you have incorporated our products into your feeding regime, and that's quite a regime! Let us know if you have any questions about our products. Beautiful animals!

Chad @ Reef Nutrition

Thanks Chad, I really appreciate it! Definitely love the brand and the products. I saw you have some new things added to the website so i'll have to check it out!