Pistol Shrimp substrate

[heyItzCathan]

Hello everyone, I am interested in getting a pistol shrimp for my aquarium however I have fine sand and noticed a lot of pistol shrimp aquariums have a more pebble like substrate. Is there anything I should add to the tank so that the pistol shrimp will use it to build its home in? Was thinking of getting some tiny pebbles but wanted to ask what would you do.

 

[LagunaGlide]

Hello everyone, I am interested in getting a pistol shrimp for my aquarium however I have fine sand and noticed a lot of pistol shrimp aquariums have a more pebble like substrate. Is there anything I should add to the tank so that the pistol shrimp will use it to build its home in? Was thinking of getting some tiny pebbles but wanted to ask what would you do.

You could go with a bit of special grade or crushed coral. I have had a few pistols in a few different tanks, and several seem to like empty snail shells. I can't seem to find the photo, but my current shrimp has built almost like a pillar entry way into the tunnel using shells. Then it will tear it down, and redo it, or remove it completely.

 

[Fritz05]

Pistol shrimps are builders and movers, so you should add gravel, e.g. aragonite. I do not think they can do much with sand. I had a tiger pistol shrimp and a candy cane shrimp by themselves, and I barely saw them. Once I added a watchman goby / yasha goby and they paired up, they were much more active. Also, if you pick a Tiger add pebbles, they will use them to build impressive constructions. I used Seachem Matrix I had left.

 

[Sharbuckles Reef]

I like to use a mixture. Crushed coral and special grade combined adds lots of options for the pistol.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I had a candy cane pistol for a few years with fine sand and it worked out no problem.