pistol shrimp behavior

[dannyafoster]

ok so i have a yellow pistol shrimp paired with a yellow watchman goby and they have taken up a home under a rock. nothing abnormal here. that being said today me and my wife witnessed him gathering my extra shells for my hermits. thought maybe he was just a clepto turns out hes an architect. he stacked them to create basically a cover for the entrance of the rock they live under. he basically has created a small tunnel with shells then he covered them with sand so it blends in. Is this normal? It seems now i have to get more shells because he used all he could find.

 

[ralph atl]

yup!

 

[nickg]

Very normal..

 

[dylan ringwood]

I was talking about getting one of those last night hearing this story makes me wanna do it quicker haha😃

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[dannyafoster]

I thought it was really cool just didn't know if he was special and maybe I would be rich lol

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[jennm]

The more shells you put in, the more he will gather.

They're very entertaining to watch. They are real little workers, tirelessly digging and maintaining the burrow.

Jenn

 

[dannyafoster]

So how am I suppose to keep shells for my hermits if he gathers them all

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[heathlindner25]

DannyaFoster;949387 wrote: So how am I suppose to keep shells for my hermits if he gathers them all

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Take a piece of live rock and smash it into little pieces, give him that.

 

[dannyafoster]

I'll try that

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[jennm]

Or try some shells that aren't snail shells, like mollusk shells and such.

They're pack rats.

The hermits will find some shells - the pistol might run them off (and might kill a hermit or two) - that's just the circle of reef tank life.

Jenn

 

[dannyafoster]

Ok lol if I put the shells on the other side of the tank I assume he wouldn't make itbover there to get them

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[heathlindner25]

DannyaFoster;949396 wrote: Ok lol if I put the shells on the other side of the tank I assume he wouldn't make itbover there to get them

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He will find them in the middle of the night.... when he does exploring.

 

[dannyafoster]

Never seen him go more than like 6" out of his hole

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