How to pair a yasha with a pistol

[Indiana Reefin]

I am in the process of upgrading to a Cadlights 18 gallon and one of the things I am stoked about is my yasha and pistol pair that will be here in a couple of weeks. I am building a burrow for the pair out of pvc underneath my sand bed. Would it be wise to introduce them both at the same time into the burrow and to cap both ends off? I would obviously puncture holes in the ends to allow flow. I feel like I have read this somewhere on a blog or on someone's build thread.

[Half Vaped]

I don't think that's really necessary and can cause undue stress. As long as they're compatible species, Gobies and Shrimps tend to pair up on their own.

The only two commonly offered Pistol Shrimp that pair with Gobies are the Tiger and Randall's Pistols. The Tiger gets too big for the Yasha and may one day eat it, so your best choice is the Randall's. Most of the other species of Pistols I see available online and in LFSs don't usually pair with Gobies.

[ncaldwell]

I had a tiger with a yasha. All I did poke my finger in the sand under a rock to give the pistol shrimp I released there a starting point to start digging in. The yasha found him in a 125 gallon that night pretty easy. If I had to guess I'd say they can sense each other somehow. I wouldn't stress to much about it. I had three and it all worked out with little trying on my part. Hardest part was keeping them to where I could see them

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[Indiana Reefin]

Thanks for all your replies. I will introduce them both in the burrow but will leave both ends open

[Indiana Reefin]

I am getting a Randall's pistol

[ThRoewer]

I would not bother to build a burrow for them. Not only is it unnecessary, but also counterproductive. The shrimp actually needs to dig in the sand - that's where they find their food. So I would not be at all surprised if they simply ignore the PVC "burrow".
Best is to place some rocks on the bare bottom which from shallow caves and then fill the bottom with a mix of fine sand, medium and coarse gravel. Then just make a hole in the sand under the rock where you want the shrimp to build the burrow and let it do its thing.
You can introduce the goby at the same time or the next day. They will find each other, especially in a small tank.

BTW: yashas can be sexed easily: males have a black spot on the end of their suction fin.
The shrimp can be sexed as well, but that's much trickier with randalli than bellulus (tiger).
But randalli are less aggressive among each other and you can keep multiple even in a smaller tank.

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[tqpolo]

Follow these steps very carefully.

Step 1: Add them to the tank. Separately or at the same time.
Step 2. Done.

[sus]

^what he said
On my last tank I just added a candy stripe pistol and a Randall's goby at the same time (no prep, no digging holes, etc...) by the next morning they were paired up and the shrimp had made them a "home"

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by ThRoewer

I would not bother to build a burrow for them. Not only is it unnecessary, but also counterproductive. The shrimp actually needs to dig in the sand - that's where they find their food. So I would not be at all surprised if they simply ignore the PVC "burrow".
Best is to place some rocks on the bare bottom which from shallow caves and then fill the bottom with a mix of fine sand, medium and coarse gravel. Then just make a hole in the sand under the rock where you want the shrimp to build the burrow and let it do its thing.
You can introduce the goby at the same time or the next day. They will find each other, especially in a small tank.

BTW: yashas can be sexed easily: males have a black spot on the end of their suction fin.
The shrimp can be sexed as well, but that's much trickier with randalli than bellulus (tiger).
But randalli are less aggressive among each other and you can keep multiple even in a smaller tank.

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This

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by tqpolo

Follow these steps very carefully.

Step 1: Add them to the tank. Separately or at the same time.
Step 2. Done.

Exactly

[Indiana Reefin]

Thanks for all the replies. I have heard that people have good success with pvc burrows. The pistol shrimp will bring sand and rock rubble inside the burrow.

Okay if I ditch the pvc burrow method, how can I encourage the shrimp and goby to hang up front instead of in the back of the aquarium?

[Rakie]

Originally Posted by Indiana Reefin

Thanks for all the replies. I have heard that people have good success with pvc burrows. The pistol shrimp will bring sand and rock rubble inside the burrow.

Okay if I ditch the pvc burrow method, how can I encourage the shrimp and goby to hang up front instead of in the back of the aquarium?

Like this

Originally Posted by ThRoewer

Best is to place some rocks on the bare bottom which from shallow caves and then fill the bottom with a mix of fine sand, medium and coarse gravel. Then just make a hole in the sand under the rock where you want the shrimp to build the burrow and let it do its thing.

1) Build them a suitable structure out of rubble rock, build it ON THE GLASS BOTTOM. Make sure the 'mouth' of the cave is facing the way you want it to or they may host the backside of the rock.

(The glass part is absolutely crucial, because if you just put rocks on the sand the shrimp might get crushed by digging up that same sand.)

2) Cover these rocks with sand, leave a little hole in the front of the cave to give the shrimp a starting point (also makes it more likely he'll build there).

3) Introduce them where you want them -- The idea is to build something that looks safe, attractive (to you AND the animals), and properly place.. Otherwise, if you just let them go they may build a nice little burrow on the backside of the tank facing the wall.

_______________ My personal suggestion _______________

4) Don't get bummed out if they don't do exactly what you want. It's YOUR job to make them a little area that's so attractive they have to build there.


I used to keep Tarantula's when I was younger. I had gotten one that was an absolutely prolific webber.. In his cage I build a cave out of large rocks, and placed dry sticks over the top of it. My goal was obvious, I wanted him to live in that cave and web it up.

Put him in, and he dashed to the cave. Cool. I'll see him tomorrow. The next day when I woke up, he built the most immaculate and impressive webbed cave I've ever seen. Dug out the floor and laid web, webbed up the walls of the rocks and the branches.. It was absolutely badass, and *exactly* what I wanted him to do.

Next morning when I woke up? He put dirt all over the ENTIRE damn thing. His awesome web fortress made of nice rocks I selected for shape and color looked like a mud pie.

I was less than pleased.. But he obviously thought his fortress could use some camouflage. Can't exactly be mad at a spider either.. So if you wake up to see your shrimp/fish had dug out the backside of your cave and are facing rock structure or something try not to be too bummed out

[Indiana Reefin]

Thanks Rakie! Very good points. I will try my best to build a suitable burrow.

Originally Posted by Rakie

Like this




1) Build them a suitable structure out of rubble rock, build it ON THE GLASS BOTTOM. Make sure the 'mouth' of the cave is facing the way you want it to or they may host the backside of the rock.

(The glass part is absolutely crucial, because if you just put rocks on the sand the shrimp might get crushed by digging up that same sand.)

2) Cover these rocks with sand, leave a little hole in the front of the cave to give the shrimp a starting point (also makes it more likely he'll build there).

3) Introduce them where you want them -- The idea is to build something that looks safe, attractive (to you AND the animals), and properly place.. Otherwise, if you just let them go they may build a nice little burrow on the backside of the tank facing the wall.

_______________ My personal suggestion _______________

4) Don't get bummed out if they don't do exactly what you want. It's YOUR job to make them a little area that's so attractive they have to build there.


I used to keep Tarantula's when I was younger. I had gotten one that was an absolutely prolific webber.. In his cage I build a cave out of large rocks, and placed dry sticks over the top of it. My goal was obvious, I wanted him to live in that cave and web it up.

Put him in, and he dashed to the cave. Cool. I'll see him tomorrow. The next day when I woke up, he built the most immaculate and impressive webbed cave I've ever seen. Dug out the floor and laid web, webbed up the walls of the rocks and the branches.. It was absolutely badass, and *exactly* what I wanted him to do.

Next morning when I woke up? He put dirt all over the ENTIRE damn thing. His awesome web fortress made of nice rocks I selected for shape and color looked like a mud pie.

I was less than pleased.. But he obviously thought his fortress could use some camouflage. Can't exactly be mad at a spider either.. So if you wake up to see your shrimp/fish had dug out the backside of your cave and are facing rock structure or something try not to be too bummed out

[Indiana Reefin]

I am going to still use the pvc but I am going to fill the tube with some gravel and sand but leave the openings open at first.

[minus9]

Please secure your rock work, making sure it's sitting on the bottom glass or supports. The pistol will dig where it wants, so make sure your rock is secure. I can't stress this enough, I've seen too many rock avalanches caused by pistol shrimp and unsecured rock. Btw, the yasha and Randall's will pair on their own time.

[Indiana Reefin]

Originally Posted by minus9

Please secure your rock work, making sure it's sitting on the bottom glass or supports. The pistol will dig where it wants, so make sure your rock is secure. I can't stress this enough, I've seen too many rock avalanches caused by pistol shrimp and unsecured rock. Btw, the yasha and Randall's will pair on their own time.

Thanks! I am going to use some epoxy for a nice rock scape. I will als use a pice of acrylic on the bottom of my tank. I am going to put my base rock down first then the the sand so that when the pistol burrows the rocks will not collapse

[Rakie]

Originally Posted by Indiana Reefin

Thanks! I am going to use some epoxy for a nice rock scape. I will als use a pice of acrylic on the bottom of my tank. I am going to put my base rock down first then the the sand so that when the pistol burrows the rocks will not collapse

Here's what I DON'T like about the PVC burrow --

1) They can not dig through the PVC, which means they will be sandwiched within a small PVC tube that they cannot turn around in. Which can make them uncomfortable, and they will LEAVE that burrow and make another somewhere in the tank.

2) If the PVC tube you use IS wide enough for them to turn around in, it will be too wide, allowing other animals into their den, which will make them most likely move to a new location as their home is not secure enough for them.

We have collectively implored and warned you to let them build a natural structure. We cannot force you, but as you're looking for advice this is that advice

Trust me, I feel exactly where you're coming from. That's why I told you about my tarantula's fortress turn mud-hut. I personally think great consideration will need to come into play if you are forcing the PVC tube idea. They absolutely know what to do with natural surroundings. If they don't like the tube? They may setup shop dead center in the back of the aquarium facing the wall.

3) I'd like to mention to anyone who reads this to remember -- Fish are NOT dumb creatures, but they need to feel secure.. Because in their mind, who knows when that next hungry shark swims by. Could be any minute now...

[Indiana Reefin]

Okay okay....
I will ditch the pvc idea. I will make sure that the rock is attached to the acrylic sheet. Below the sand. I will try and make some cool caves for them to burrow

Originally Posted by Rakie

Here's what I DON'T like about the PVC burrow --

1) They can not dig through the PVC, which means they will be sandwiched within a small PVC tube that they cannot turn around in. Which can make them uncomfortable, and they will LEAVE that burrow and make another somewhere in the tank.

2) If the PVC tube you use IS wide enough for them to turn around in, it will be too wide, allowing other animals into their den, which will make them most likely move to a new location as their home is not secure enough for them.

We have collectively implored and warned you to let them build a natural structure. We cannot force you, but as you're looking for advice this is that advice

Trust me, I feel exactly where you're coming from. That's why I told you about my tarantula's fortress turn mud-hut. I personally think great consideration will need to come into play if you are forcing the PVC tube idea. They absolutely know what to do with natural surroundings. If they don't like the tube? They may setup shop dead center in the back of the aquarium facing the wall.

3) I'd like to mention to anyone who reads this to remember -- Fish are NOT dumb creatures, but they need to feel secure.. Because in their mind, who knows when that next hungry shark swims by. Could be any minute now...

[Rakie]

Originally Posted by Indiana Reefin

Okay okay....
I will ditch the pvc idea. I will make sure that the rock is attached to the acrylic sheet. Below the sand. I will try and make some cool caves for them to burrow

Animals are picky! Sorry homie, I tried to put myself in your shoes and I don't think either of us like the pair setting up shop somewhere random.

[ThRoewer]

The trick is to study them and learn what they like and what they don't like.

The gobies like a laminar flow that isn't too strong.
Further, they like the flow coming from the front, flow from the back makes them uncomfortable and they will encourage the shrimp to change the exit of the burrow.
They like to have a clear view on their surroundings.

The shrimp itself is not very picky. It will dig it's burrow wherever it finds the right gravel and supporting rock.
Without a goby the shrimp doesn't care too much about where the exits are as it will be mostly night active and rarely leave the burrow.

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[Indiana Reefin]

Originally Posted by ThRoewer

The trick is to study them and learn what they like and what they don't like.

The gobies like a laminar flow that isn't too strong.
Further, they like the flow coming from the front, flow from the back makes them uncomfortable and they will encourage the shrimp to change the exit of the burrow.
They like to have a clear view on their surroundings.

The shrimp itself is not very picky. It will dig it's burrow wherever it finds the right gravel and supporting rock.
Without a goby the shrimp doesn't care too much about where the exits are as it will be mostly night active and rarely leave the burrow.
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Thanks for your advice! Makes me think about powerhead placement