Red Banded Pistol Shrimp

The Red Banded Snapping Shrimp and its relatives have a unique left pincer that produces a loud sound and stream of water when opened or closed. This adaptation is used in the wild to deter predators and capture prey. In an aquarium, the clicking noise can startle the aquarist. The shrimp typically live in a burrow made of sand or mud with a goby of the Amblyeleotris or Stonogobiops genera. The goby’s sharp vision helps detect predators, and the two species often share food. While in the burrow, only one shrimp is usually on guard duty at any given time. At night, it forages for food and may eat tiny shrimp, but it primarily feeds on meaty foods and bottom feeder tablets in the aquarium. The shrimp is sensitive to high nitrates and copper but requires proper iodine levels in the water for molting.