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Randall's Pistol Shrimp
Shrimp

Randall's Pistol Shrimp

Alpheus randalli

A smaller, more delicate pistol shrimp that partners with Amblyeleotris and Stonogobiops watchman gobies in a shared burrow. It has poor eyesight and relies on its goby partner's vision for predator detection, retreating instantly at the goby's signal; both animals seal the burrow entrance at night. Like other Alpheus species its snapping claw is loud, and it continuously reworks the sand bed while excavating.

Temperament
Peaceful
Max size
2"
Min tank
10 gal
Reef-safe
Reef safe
Diet
Omnivore
Zone
Sand bed, Rockwork
Keep one or a bonded pair.
Symbiosis · Pairs with a shrimp goby.
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Tankmates

How Randall's Pistol Shrimp gets on with the rest of the reef, checked pair by pair by the same engine as the live pre-flight.

Natural partners

A verified reef partnership — better together.

Yasha GobyThe iconic pairing — the yasha goby (Stonogobiops yasha) and Randall's pistol shrimp (Alpheus randalli) share a burrow, the near-blind shrimp digging while the goby stands sentry. Best bought as a bonded pair.Randall's Shrimp GobyRandall's prawn goby (Amblyeleotris randalli) forms the classic goby–shrimp burrow partnership with a Randall's pistol shrimp — the shrimp digs, the goby is its eyes.Tangaroa Shrimp GobyThe Tangaroa goby (Ctenogobiops tangaroai) partners with an Alpheus pistol shrimp in a shared burrow, guarding the entrance while the shrimp maintains it — a Randall's pistol shrimp is a natural match.Dracula GobyThe dracula goby (Stonogobiops dracula) famously pairs with a Randall's pistol shrimp in a shared burrow — shelter and excavation from the shrimp in exchange for the goby's lookout duty.

Best kept apart

A real clash — aggression, predation or a same-genus fight.

Longnose HawkfishLongnose Hawkfish hunts ornamental shrimp — your Randall's Pistol Shrimp is on the menu.Red Coris WrasseRed Coris Wrasse hunts ornamental shrimp — your Randall's Pistol Shrimp is on the menu.Christmas WrasseChristmas Wrasse hunts ornamental shrimp — your Randall's Pistol Shrimp is on the menu.Antennata LionfishAntennata Lionfish hunts ornamental shrimp — your Randall's Pistol Shrimp is on the menu.Picasso TriggerfishPicasso Triggerfish hunts ornamental shrimp — your Randall's Pistol Shrimp is on the menu.Queen AngelfishQueen Angelfish hunts ornamental shrimp — your Randall's Pistol Shrimp is on the menu.Raccoon ButterflyfishRaccoon Butterflyfish hunts ornamental shrimp — your Randall's Pistol Shrimp is on the menu.Pearlscale ButterflyfishPearlscale Butterflyfish hunts ornamental shrimp — your Randall's Pistol Shrimp is on the menu.Arc-Eye HawkfishArc-Eye Hawkfish hunts ornamental shrimp — your Randall's Pistol Shrimp is on the menu.Marine BettaMarine Betta hunts ornamental shrimp — your Randall's Pistol Shrimp is on the menu.Dragon WrasseDragon Wrasse hunts ornamental shrimp — your Randall's Pistol Shrimp is on the menu.Divided Leopard WrasseDivided Leopard Wrasse hunts ornamental shrimp — your Randall's Pistol Shrimp is on the menu.Volitans LionfishVolitans Lionfish hunts ornamental shrimp — your Randall's Pistol Shrimp is on the menu.Zebra Dwarf LionfishZebra Dwarf Lionfish hunts ornamental shrimp — your Randall's Pistol Shrimp is on the menu.Fuzzy Dwarf LionfishFuzzy Dwarf Lionfish hunts ornamental shrimp — your Randall's Pistol Shrimp is on the menu.Snowflake MoraySnowflake Moray hunts ornamental shrimp — your Randall's Pistol Shrimp is on the menu.Zebra MorayZebra Moray hunts ornamental shrimp — your Randall's Pistol Shrimp is on the menu.Chainlink MorayChainlink Moray hunts ornamental shrimp — your Randall's Pistol Shrimp is on the menu.Golden Dwarf MorayGolden Dwarf Moray hunts ornamental shrimp — your Randall's Pistol Shrimp is on the menu.Blue-Throat TriggerfishBlue-Throat Triggerfish hunts ornamental shrimp — your Randall's Pistol Shrimp is on the menu.