Watchman goby/pistol shrimp. Yay or nay?

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#1
Can I get some advice. I want to get a watchman goby/pistol shrimp pair cause of this symbiotic relationship I keep hearing about. I have a 20g Waterbox nano reef. Torches up top, Zoas and goni s in the middle, rock flower anemones on the sand bed. Will these two rekt havoc? Is it worth it?
 

drexel

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#3
Absolutely a great combo, but I would suggest a Randall's goby and Randall's pistol shrimp pair. I would make sure your rock is touching the bottom glass, as the pistol will move sand around and if your rock is floating on the sand, it could move a little.
 
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#4
I personally love them, but wouldn’t put them in a tank with a bunch of corals. They move sometimes and have multiple holes and sand all over the place. Saying that I would definitely do a tank just for them.


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#5
Absolutely a great combo, but I would suggest a Randall's goby and Randall's pistol shrimp pair. I would make sure your rock is touching the bottom glass, as the pistol will move sand around and if your rock is floating on the sand, it could move a little.
Will the pistol shrimp kill my hermit crab, snails and cleaner shrimp?
 

drexel

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#6
Will the pistol shrimp kill my hermit crab, snails and cleaner shrimp?
I’ve never had an issue with Randall’s taking out livestock. Small crustaceans are potential prey, but snails and crabs usually steer clear.


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Reeferkcp

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#7
I have a randall goby and shrimp pair. I have sps, lps, and softie. Never had an issue. They make a burrow in the deepest part of the sand and never venture too far. Fun to watch
 

ddelmonaco

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#9
They are definitely cool to look at and the relationship is a neat thing of reefing. Definitely make sure your aquascape is pretty well secured as they will burrow and can move locations more than once, most likely the pistol will make a tunnel network under everything. I had a few pairs at one point in one of my larger tanks but I also don't regret not having them anymore due to the constant reengineering of the sandbed lol
 
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