Care Level: Easy
Temperament:Â Peaceful
Reef Compatible:Â Yes
General Description: The Candy Pistol Shrimp, also known as the Red Banded Pistol Shrimp or Snapping Shrimp, have red and white bands along the dorsal side of its body, yellow on the ventral side, and a uniquely larger left claw. In the aquarium, when this claw opens and closes, it sounds like a loud clicking noise. Candy pistol shrimp originate from the Indo-Pacific and reach a maximum size of approximately 2″. More of a nocturnal forager, the Candy pistol shrimp may be seldomly seen out and about during the day. These shrimp make a burrow under liverock, which will be shared with a goby typically from the Amblyeleotris or Stonogobiops genera in a symbiotic relationship. Because these shrimp have poor eye sight, the goby acts as a look out for predators while the shrimp provides a home for the goby; both also benefit in sharing food resources. Popular compatible gobies include Randall’s Goby (Amblyeleotris randalli), Antenna Hifin Goby (Stonogobiops nematodes), Yasha Goby (Stonogobiops yasha), and Yellow Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus).
Diet Requirements: Candy pistol shrimp are carnivores. They will forage on the substrate for meaty foods, such as frozen brine shrimp or mysis shrimp, and various pellet foods.
Tank Requirements: An established, minimum aquarium size of 15 gallons with a deep sand bed for burrowing is recommended to house a Candy pistol shrimp alone, or a Candy pistol shrimp and goby pair. Maintaining stable water parameters is a component to the success of keeping this invertebrate; Candy pistol shrimp are intolerable of high nitrates. Regular water changes are necessary to replenish iodine that is important for the proper molting of Candy pistol shrimp. Generous live rock and caves will mimic the Candy pistol shrimp’s natural environment. Recommended water conditions: 76-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.024-1.026.
Purchase Size: 3/4″ to 1″
Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase size is approximate.
