The tiger pistol shrimp is best known for two things. It snaps one oversized claw so fast it makes a loud crack, and it lives in partnership with a goby. Watching Alpheus bellulus bulldoze sand out of its burrow while its goby stands guard is one of the most rewarding sights in a reef tank.
It is hardy and easy to feed, but it is a constant digger, so plan your rockwork before you add one.
Where tiger pistol shrimp come from
Tiger pistol shrimp live in the western Pacific, including Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan. They dig burrows in sandy and rubble areas near reefs and share them with watchman gobies of the genera Cryptocentrus, Amblyeleotris and others.
Appearance and behaviour
Adults reach about 5 cm. The body is white to cream with orange to brown tiger-stripe patches, and one claw is much bigger than the other. That large claw closes so fast it creates a bubble that collapses with a loud snap, stunning small prey.
The shrimp has poor eyesight, so it keeps one antenna on its goby partner. The goby watches for danger and flicks its tail to warn the shrimp, which dives into the burrow. In return the shrimp digs and maintains the home for both of them.
Tank setup
One shrimp, or a shrimp and goby pair, needs at least 75 litres. Provide a deep sand bed of 5–8 cm, mixed with some coarser rubble and shell so burrows hold their shape. Build rockwork directly on the tank floor or on a rock base, because pistol shrimp can undermine rocks resting on sand. Our guide to acclimating shrimp explains how to add them safely.
Water parameters
Keep the temperature at 24–27°C, salinity at 1.024–1.026 and pH 8.1–8.4. Avoid copper completely. Stable conditions and good magnesium and calcium levels help it moult.
Feeding
Tiger pistol shrimp are scavengers and hunters. They catch food that drifts near the burrow and pick up leftovers. Drop frozen mysis, brine shrimp and small pellets near the burrow entrance a few times a week to be sure they get enough.
Tank mates
The best partners are watchman gobies, especially yellow watchman (Cryptocentrus cinctus), blue-spotted and pink-spotted watchman gobies, and some Amblyeleotris species. Add the goby and shrimp at the same time, or the shrimp first. Avoid predators that eat shrimp, and very small fish, which the shrimp may grab at night. It is reef safe, though it may bury corals on the sand.
Breeding
Pairs of pistol shrimp can spawn in aquariums, but the larvae are hard to raise. Most are wild caught.
Common problems and lifespan
Rockslides from digging, predatory tank mates and copper are the main dangers. The snapping noise worries some keepers, but it is normal. With good care tiger pistol shrimp live 3–5 years.
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