pistol shrimp ^& goby experience
 

I’m considering adding a pistol shrimp & goby pair to my tank. Any experiences anyone would like to share?
My tank is 180 gallons, DSB, SPS/LPS. Rock is supported on “pylon� supported eggcrate beneath the sand surface so even if undermined the rock shouldn’t move. Inhabitants include a flame and a small emperor angel, 2 perc clowns and a mandarin.

Well I had a pistol shrimp, popped him in the tank, had a good idea where he landed (occasionally saw sand kicked out of between some rocks) and did hear pops. A couple weeks later got a watchman goby.. after QT put him in the tank.. SOB swam to the other side of the tank, they never got close to each other. (6' 135g tank). The pops have long stopped, I'm pretty sure he died or something, never saw im though, there's really no reason to get one IMHO unless hearing the occasional popping noise is your cup of tea, even if you do put them in at the same time and they stay together the watchman will be at the entrance to the 'bunker' so you'll still never see the pistol shrimp.

The watchman on the other hand is great, he's currently hiding behind some rocks where there's a little cave entrance from the sand that has been whisked away. He's pretty fearless too he'll stay still while I'm near the tank, nice pretty fish.

Btw how's that Emperor doing in that tank with the corals?

I’ve had the emperor about 6 weeks, but 5 of those weeks were spent going through hyposalinity quarantine. He’s still a juvenile, just beginning to change into adult coloration, so I’m hoping he doesn’t grow into any bad habits. I know it’s a gamble, but so far no problems. The flame only occasionally picks at the SPS and I believe he’s really after some kind of bug as I have a ton of pods in the tank. So far the emperor’s only interest is anyone or anything coming near the tank (even my dog). I think he’s trying mental telepathy on the dog to get the dog to feed him.

If the pistol takes to the gobie, you will see the pistol quite a bit as it's the worker of the burrow. Every day it will work on the burrow.

Really Gresham? Hmmm I may have to rethink the pistol then. This time if I go with one, make sure to place it extremely near the goby so they know where one another is! :)

Are they always kicking up sand and burrowing? I have looked into adding a pair for quit sometime but fear that they will just cloud up the water and destroy the sandbed.

I have a 3-4" DSB of sugar fine oolitic sand (purearagonite.com) The stuff stirs up easy.

Maybe I will rethink it.

i think that sand is too fine for burrowing, just my opinion

im thinking of setting a nano up with a yasha goby and a banded pistol should be fun