Pistol Shrimp - Candy Cane

Shrimp are active, entertaining and easy to keep. They shed their shells as they grow, and afterwards need to hide in the rock until their new shell hardens. Shrimp are highly excitable when food is present, and will do anything to get it. Some species may pester corals by attempting to reach food the coral has eaten. In this situation the shrimp should be provided food first. Large individuals may catch and consume smaller species.

An attractive shrimp with bold red and white stripes, it makes the perfect pairing with a shrimp goby. It may be kept without its fish companion but is extremely secretive on its own. It grows up to 1.5 inches.

We recommend a shrimp and its goby partner be added to the aquarium at the same time; it is best if they are placed in a net together and gently lowered to the aquarium bottom. The hard-working shrimp will excavate a burrow under the sand for it and the fish to live in, consisting of several tunnels, entrances and exits. The sharp-eyed goby stands guard at one of the entrances and keeps an eye out for threats. At nighttime or when a tunnel is not being used the shrimp will block it off with shells and small rocks. It is important to provide deep sand of at least three inches and plenty of shells and crushed coral of various sizes so the shrimp has enough building material to create a stable dwelling. Rocks should be placed on the aquarium glass and sand poured around them to eliminate the danger of a cave-in when the shrimp excavates. The pistol shrimp has an enlarged claw which may make a clicking or popping sound.

If more than one pistol shrimp is to be kept in the same aquarium we recommend space enough to accommodate at least 24 inches between burrows. They are typically peaceful with all tank mates, although there is a small threat to other crustaceans if the pistol shrimp is not getting enough food. To minimize this threat any sort of fish food may be placed at the tunnel entrance for the shrimp to collect.