Peppermint Shrimp and Goby

SaltwaterNoob17 · 07-05-2009, 07:22 AM

I bought a peppermint shrimp a few weeks ago, and a few days ago I bought a yellow watchman goby. They seem to be getting along okay, but when I feed the goby (I'm feeding him brine and mysis shrimp), my peppermint shrimp comes out from his cave in the live rock, climbs onto the goby's back, and appears to "dance" on the goby's back for about 20 seconds. The goby seems a tad bit irritated, but he doesn't try to get away from the shrimp. Is the shrimp cleaning him? Is the shrimp upset that I'm feeding the goby shrimp? Should I be concerned?

mikejrice · 07-05-2009, 08:56 AM

My peppermint and watchmen act pretty strange together too. Watchmen are known for forming a symbiotic relationship with pistol shrimp I think it might work with a peppermint too from what Iv seen.

SaltwaterNoob17 · 07-05-2009, 01:08 PM

Okay, good. That makes me feel better...

Phayes · 07-05-2009, 02:44 PM

most gobies have this relationship trait with pistol shrimp. Since pistol shrimp are blind- they will actually use the gobie as their set of eyes, and in return they receive the protection of the shrimp. One of the very spectacular symbiotic relationships of our hobby.
However, not too sure how it all works out with peppermint shrimp!

McSiD · 07-05-2009, 10:12 PM

That's too funny. :-)

07-05-2009, 07:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
SaltwaterNoob17 Plankton Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4 Skin: Mint Karma: 1	Peppermint Shrimp and Goby I bought a peppermint shrimp a few weeks ago, and a few days ago I bought a yellow watchman goby. They seem to be getting along okay, but when I feed the goby (I'm feeding him brine and mysis shrimp), my peppermint shrimp comes out from his cave in the live rock, climbs onto the goby's back, and appears to "dance" on the goby's back for about 20 seconds. The goby seems a tad bit irritated, but he doesn't try to get away from the shrimp. Is the shrimp cleaning him? Is the shrimp upset that I'm feeding the goby shrimp? Should I be concerned?

07-05-2009, 02:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
Phayes Aiptasia Anemone Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Age: 24 Posts: 582 Skin: Mint Karma: 1283	most gobies have this relationship trait with pistol shrimp. Since pistol shrimp are blind- they will actually use the gobie as their set of eyes, and in return they receive the protection of the shrimp. One of the very spectacular symbiotic relationships of our hobby. However, not too sure how it all works out with peppermint shrimp! _________ Support the Coral Reef Alliance http://www.coral.org

07-05-2009, 08:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
mikejrice 3reef Sponsor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,436 Skin: Dark Karma: 35188	My peppermint and watchmen act pretty strange together too. Watchmen are known for forming a symbiotic relationship with pistol shrimp I think it might work with a peppermint too from what Iv seen.

07-05-2009, 01:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
SaltwaterNoob17 Plankton Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4 Skin: Mint Karma: 1	Okay, good. That makes me feel better...

07-05-2009, 10:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
McSiD Plankton Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Naples,Fl. Posts: 11 Skin: Mint Karma: 1	That's too funny. :-)