Goby Shrimp symbiosis consternation.

[PaddyMick]

Hello fellow Reefers.

 

I'm an old aquarium enthusiast returning to the hobby after a 10 year break.

 

I have a 14 gallon bio cube and my focus is going to be on various symbiotic relationships.

 

I got off to a very bad start when I was sold a Blue Spotted Watchman and a Curly Que pistol shrimp to setup my first goby/shrimp pairing. The Watchman turned out to be extremely aggressive and harassed and killed a Tail Spot Blenny. The Watchman also showed no interest in the Curly Que or it could have been vice versa. The Watchman also blocked my Clowns from pairing with a bubble tip anemone by chasing them off when ever they came near. The Watchman from hell.

 

I removed the Watchman and replaced it with a pair of Yasha White Ray's. The White Rays made a beeline for the Curly Que's den and were chased out by a multitude of snapping attacks. Every time they approached the Curly Que it would initiate an attack. The Curly Que even went as far as to leave it's burrow and snap attack a Yasha that was several inches away from the burrow.

 

Subsequent research revealed the Curly Que is only interested in the Curly Que anemone . I have not seen a single reference to it's pairing with any Goby. Thank you pet store.

 

I finally tore my reef apart and removed the Curly Que. (Pet store gave in store credit)

 

My research indicated I wanted a Randall's Pistol shrimp for my Yasha's. Pet store sells me one and after I release it into the tank I realize it's a Tiger Pistol Shrimp...sigh. The Tiger even looked like it was red stripped under the stores lighting.

 

My question is will the Yasha's pair with the Tiger ? I have not found one instance of Yasha's pairing with anything but a Randall's.

 

I also know pairing is not guaranteed .

 

Thanking you in advance for your kind responses.

 

[tetraodon]

There should be a chart online with pistol shrimp species and their symbiots

[afyounie]

I don't know much on shrimp goby pairing, but I do know that Live Aquaria has Randall's pistol shrimp and they are a good online retailer. If it was me, I'd take the tiger shrimp back, then order the Randall's from LA. Also, I'd be wary about shopping at that LFS. I always keep my phone ready and research the fish in the tank prior to buying it. This way I can ensure that it is what they say it is and I'm not getting something dangerous to my other tank inhabitants.

[metrokat]

Yasha will pair with a tiger.

[spaceheater]

Yea, The yasha *could pair with the tiger. Mine did, but it took the better part of two weeks. Give it some time and see what happens. I think a big part of the wait was the yasha was stressed by the move and didn't come out of his bolt hole at first.