| The tiger pistol shrimp is one of two very popular | | | | pistol shrimp with a goby on your own, rest |
| marine pistol shrimp that regularly come into the | | | | assured that such a task is fairly straightforward. |
| trade. They are given the scientific name Alpheus | | | | Upon meeting, the two should immediately pair up. |
| Bellulus. Generally, they are all white with dark | | | | The problem lies in getting them to meet in the |
| bands throughout their bodies. They are generally | | | | first place. |
| larger than the other popular pistol shrimp, A. | | | | Try to ensure that the pistol shrimp goes into the |
| Randalli and can attain sizes of up to three inches | | | | tank first. Place it in a area suitable for burrowing |
| in captivity. | | | | such as an island structure or the base of your |
| They are popular choices among those that wish | | | | liverock. Let it dig around for a while. When a |
| to rear a pistol plus goby fish pair. There are a | | | | burrow entrance has been created, it is time to |
| great many species of goby fish that will pair up | | | | put in the goby. This is tricky as it involves forcing |
| with this species including the high-finned goby, | | | | the goby into the burrow. A small glass cylinder |
| Yasha Goby, Dracula Goby, Tiger Watchman, | | | | such as those that come with test kits are |
| diagonal Bar prawn goby just to name a few. Like | | | | perfect. Simply fill up the cylinder with tank water, |
| all members of the genus Alpheus, this shrimp has | | | | insert the goby and use it to direct the fish into |
| one (and sometimes two) large claws that are | | | | the hole. |
| used to create a large popping noise underwater. | | | | Another lesser known aspect regarding the tiger |
| This claw can be used to stun prey as well as | | | | pistol shrimp involves the way they live in the wild. |
| defend itself from predators. | | | | They are the only known crustacean to form |
| They are generally a very affordable marine | | | | elaborate hierarchies among themselves. They are |
| ornamental species with prices going no higher | | | | found living among sponges where the population |
| than 15 dollars. They are commonly sold in a pair | | | | is divided in castes. There is evidence to suggest |
| with an existing goby with which is already shares | | | | that they divide themselves into soldier and queen |
| a symbiotic relationship. They are found | | | | castes. These colonies can sometimes be very |
| throughout the Indo-Pacific and are considered | | | | large with smaller colonies making up a part of the |
| common in the market. If you wish to pair up this | | | | larger, dominating colony. |