Randall's pistol shrimp
Alpheus randalli
Also known as: Candy Cane Pistol Shrimp, candy cane shrimp, candy stripe pistol shrimp, Candy Stripe Pistol Shrimp, Randall's snapping shrimp
The symbiotic pistol shrimp that teams up with gobies to rule the sandbed
About
Randall's pistol shrimp (Alpheus randalli) is one of the most behaviorally fascinating invertebrates a hobbyist can keep, largely because of its remarkable partnership with certain goby species. In the wild, across the East Pacific including the Marquesas and waters around Réunion, this shrimp spends its life excavating and maintaining a burrow that it shares with a watchful goby companion. The shrimp is essentially blind to approaching danger, so it keeps one antenna in contact with the goby at all times. When the goby signals a threat, both animals retreat into the burrow instantly. The snapping claw that gives pistol shrimp their name is no gimmick. It produces a cavitation bubble capable of striking small prey and is loud enough to be heard across a quiet room. Coloration runs to bold red and white banding, which is where the candy cane and candy stripe nicknames come from. Setting up this symbiosis in a home aquarium is genuinely rewarding, though it requires a deep, fine sand bed for burrowing and a compatible goby partner to bring out the full behavioral display. This is an intermediate-level invert, best suited to a keeper who has some reef experience under their belt.
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Randall's pistol shrimp
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Randall's pistol shrimp aggressive?
- The Randall's pistol shrimp is generally peaceful and suits a community tank with similarly calm tankmates.
- What does the Randall's pistol shrimp eat?
- The Randall's pistol shrimp is a carnivore. It needs a meaty, protein-rich diet of frozen or live foods.