Pistol Shrimp & Symbiotic goby

[mike ling]

About over a week ago, I added a Pistol Shrimp to my tank and never got to see it again until last nite when I sneaked down to my tank under the cover of darkness.

The live rock in my tank has many caves and I did expect it to be hiding in one of them. I also believe that they are nocturnal. I was however hoping to be able to see it some of the time.

I know that it has a symbiotic relationship with some Gobies. Would my adding the correct Goby to my tank make my Pistol Shrimp less shy ? If so what type of Goby is best for this purpose ?

[cougercruiser]

basically this is how it works=you get a goby (usally a small goby like a catalina or high fin) stick it in the tank with the pistal shrimp=they both help eachother out by having the pistal shrimp will help the goby have a place to hide and get around the tank.As for the goby protects the shrimp by telling him when it is ok for him to come out and also eat=so the answer to your question is yes if you do get a goby he will come out more.I myself have a high fin goby and i see him and the pistall shrimp all the time hangin out together.

[tendar]

Dont get the catalina goby though as it is a cool water fish and usally do very badly in reef tanks with warmer water. Most other shrimp goby are good though.