Watchman Goby / Pistol Shrimp

Mbakeroo · 07/17/2014, 12:01 PM

The pair was in my LFS. They looked so happy together I couldn't wait to get them home. When I put them into the tank they ended up at opposite ends and neither have moved since. That was 6 weeks ago.

The pistol shrimp is very active in the evening and at one time it looked like he was trying to make a cave toward the other end but then just stayed in his favorite spot. And my watchman is doing the same. He is a bit timid so I really don't see him venturing out to the other end of tank.

Will they ever meet up again?? I feel bad for them, they must know the other is in there !!!

TIA, Maria

Mark9 · 07/17/2014, 12:10 PM

Great picture of the Yellow Watchman, you got some photography skills.
I think they will eventually find each other.

heathlindner25 · 07/17/2014, 12:17 PM

they will find each other... it's inevitable.

Fish Biscuit · 07/17/2014, 01:17 PM

They will find each other, how big is your tank?

When I upgraded to the 40 mine ended up on opposite sides for about 2 weeks. The goby made the shrimp move, he wasn't going anywhere.

Mbakeroo · 07/17/2014, 01:40 PM

I hope you right. After 6 weeks, I'm starting to wonder. I have a 45 gallon, in addition to the watchman goby and pistol shrimp I have:

2 Ocellaris Clown
Purple Fire Fish
Chevron Bristle tooth tang
Red sea mimic blenny
Flame dwarf angel

Considering a cleaner shrimp lately but not sure.

Mbakeroo · 07/18/2014, 08:47 AM

One additional thing I should add . . . is that at night, my Purple Firefish appears to share the cave with the Pistol Shrimp . . . is this REALLY odd? Or perhaps this is the reason that the Shrimp and Goby haven't paired up ??

whosurcaddie · 07/18/2014, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mbakeroo

One additional thing I should add . . . is that at night, my Purple Firefish appears to share the cave with the Pistol Shrimp . . . is this REALLY odd? Or perhaps this is the reason that the Shrimp and Goby haven't paired up ??

Yes this does happen and is most likely the culprit its been 6 weeks and they haven't paired up yet my only thought is that the firefish has stolen his buddy. I guess the shrimp thought he was hotter..... I'm not funny.

Good news is though you can have more than one pistol shrimp so if you want to have your goby paired you can buy another pistol and release him near the gobies burrow and dont worry about a new pistol not pairing the chances of the goby pairing with a new pistol is almost 100%. Good luck.

HumbleFish · 07/18/2014, 09:21 AM

On the flip side, I'm pretty sure it was a pistol shrimp that ambushed and killed one of my firefish. Also on the flip side, I've introduced two different pistol shrimp to my 150 gal and neither has paired up with my Pink Spotted Watchman.

jnav · 07/18/2014, 03:46 PM

yeah i had a missing fish and saw my pistol eating the remains

Mbakeroo · 08/12/2014, 06:42 AM

Well almost another month has passed and the Pistol Shrimp and Firefish are still together and my poor Watchman in his lonesome cave on the other side of the tank.

Yesterday, I did notice my Firefish had a small round bulge on his side and was wondering if maybe he had a little tiff with the Pistol and got "shot" . . . would that cause this bulge? Was about to get a pic but he darted into the cave and hasn't come out since.

Fish Biscuit · 08/12/2014, 09:08 AM

I bought a candy cane 2 weeks ago to replace my tiger pistol I lost from old age. The Randall still hasn't found him & it's so little I wouldn't go out wandering around if I were him. Right now the goby hangs with the fire shrimp so maybe that's why.

I haven't had a problem with pistols going after fish so maybe someone else on here can chime in. The only time I witnessed the shrimp popping at the fish was when I fed clams & the goby would push an empty shell on the shrimp & it would stop.

07/17/2014, 01:17 PM	#4
Fish Biscuit Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,164	They will find each other, how big is your tank? When I upgraded to the 40 mine ended up on opposite sides for about 2 weeks. The goby made the shrimp move, he wasn't going anywhere. __________________ Michele I enjoy vodka entirely too much to share with the fish. Current Tank Info: 65 rimless with Eshopps R200 sump, current inhabitants randall goby, helfrichi, possum wrasse, barnacle blenny, mandarin, pistol, peppermint, & fire shrimp, snails, hermits, & LPS

08/12/2014, 09:08 AM	#11
Fish Biscuit Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,164	I bought a candy cane 2 weeks ago to replace my tiger pistol I lost from old age. The Randall still hasn't found him & it's so little I wouldn't go out wandering around if I were him. Right now the goby hangs with the fire shrimp so maybe that's why. I haven't had a problem with pistols going after fish so maybe someone else on here can chime in. The only time I witnessed the shrimp popping at the fish was when I fed clams & the goby would push an empty shell on the shrimp & it would stop. __________________ Michele I enjoy vodka entirely too much to share with the fish. Current Tank Info: 65 rimless with Eshopps R200 sump, current inhabitants randall goby, helfrichi, possum wrasse, barnacle blenny, mandarin, pistol, peppermint, & fire shrimp, snails, hermits, & LPS

07/17/2014, 12:10 PM	#2
Mark9 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Atlanta Posts: 2,497	Great picture of the Yellow Watchman, you got some photography skills. I think they will eventually find each other.

07/17/2014, 12:17 PM	#3
heathlindner25 Moved On Join Date: May 2012 Location: flowery branch georgia Posts: 3,644	they will find each other... it's inevitable.

07/17/2014, 01:40 PM	#5
Mbakeroo Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: New York Posts: 67	I hope you right. After 6 weeks, I'm starting to wonder. I have a 45 gallon, in addition to the watchman goby and pistol shrimp I have: 2 Ocellaris Clown Purple Fire Fish Chevron Bristle tooth tang Red sea mimic blenny Flame dwarf angel Considering a cleaner shrimp lately but not sure.

07/18/2014, 09:21 AM	#8
HumbleFish Moved On Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 4,757	On the flip side, I'm pretty sure it was a pistol shrimp that ambushed and killed one of my firefish. Also on the flip side, I've introduced two different pistol shrimp to my 150 gal and neither has paired up with my Pink Spotted Watchman.

07/18/2014, 03:46 PM	#9
jnav Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 8	yeah i had a missing fish and saw my pistol eating the remains

08/12/2014, 06:42 AM	#10
Mbakeroo Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: New York Posts: 67	Well almost another month has passed and the Pistol Shrimp and Firefish are still together and my poor Watchman in his lonesome cave on the other side of the tank. Yesterday, I did notice my Firefish had a small round bulge on his side and was wondering if maybe he had a little tiff with the Pistol and got "shot" . . . would that cause this bulge? Was about to get a pic but he darted into the cave and hasn't come out since.