Live Arrival & Health Guarantee
Live coral and fish are final sale and covered by our DOA guarantee. A 5-day health guarantee applies to retail orders.
The Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus species) is a fascinating and functional reef-safe saltwater shrimp, best known for its unique snapping claw and symbiotic relationship with watchman gobies. Perfect for reef aquariums, pistol shrimp help aerate sand beds while adding natural behavior and interest to your tank.
Native to tropical reefs worldwide, pistol shrimp spend most of their time burrowing under live rock, creating tunnels and sharing a home with gobies. Their peaceful nature and small size make them an excellent addition to established reef systems.
Why Choose a Pistol Shrimp?
-
Reef Safe – safe with corals and most invertebrates
-
Fascinating Snapping Behavior
-
Pairs with Watchman Gobies
-
Helps Aerate the Sand Bed
-
Hardy & Easy to Care For
Care & Tank Requirements
-
Scientific Name: Alpheus spp.
-
Common Names: Pistol Shrimp, Snapping Shrimp
-
Adult Size: 1–3 inches (species dependent)
-
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
-
Temperament: Peaceful
-
Diet: Omnivore – frozen foods, pellets, detritus
-
Reef Compatibility: Fully reef safe
Tank Mate Compatibility
Pistol shrimp are best kept with peaceful reef fish and are especially popular when paired with watchman gobies (such as Yellow Watchman Gobies). Avoid housing with aggressive fish or predatory crustaceans.
If you’re looking for a reef-safe shrimp for sale that offers both function and fascinating behavior, the Pistol Shrimp is a perfect addition to your saltwater aquarium.
