Pistol Shrimp/Yellow Watchman pairing story...and Question

Last week I ordered a Tiger Pistol and Yellow Watchman Goby (as well as two firefish) from LiveAquaria. My package arrived on Tuesday the packaging was great and all specimens were in good condition. Except one problem...the sent me a Bluespotted watchmen instead of the Yellow. The Bluespot was a great looking fish and I considered keeping her but really wanted some yellow in the tank. After making a few phone calls I found out that one of my LFS was expecting a YWG today. I told him the situation with LiveAquaria and he said he would trade me my bluespot for a YWG if I wanted. So I dropped off the bluespot, still in its shipping bag, at the LFS Tuesday afternoon.

This left me with a small issue I had my heart set on pairing the shrimp and goby and knew that introducing them together gave me a better chance. Then it dawned on me that I could just toss the pistol in my fuge (man am I glad I decided to have one) and he could just stay there for the night.

The YWG arrived at the LFS store today so after work I stopped by to pick him up. I had heard that introducing pistol/goby pairs that are already familiar helps incress your odds of a successful pairing. Since these two had never met, I wanted to isolate them for a bit before dropping them in the DT.

I decided to pick up a hang-on Net breeder box like this to isolates them.



While the YWG was acclimating I managed to net the Tiger pistol from the fuge and put him in the breeder box. When the YWG was finished the acclimating process I added him to the breeder box. I let those guys stay in there together for about 5 hours to become friends.

During that time, I decided to try something new. One of my biggest fears is having the two form a successful bond, but chose to build there home in the back behind a rock never to be seen. :thumbdown So, I decided to start building their home for them. I chose a good location front in center under a large piece of liverock. I took a turkey baster and did a little excavating where I was hoping they would make their home.

When I decided they had enough alone time to bond, I netted them both together in my net. I then put the net directly in front of the borrow waited for them to swim out of it.

Much to my delight within 15 seconds the Pistol had dove into the den I started for him and began excavating and the YWG stood gaurd just outside. My plan had worked perfectly!


Now for my question. I enjoy the Pistol/Goby pair so much that I would love to add another. Is that possible? It is a 65g tank.

 

I dont think it would be a good Idea to add another pair. they will eventually cross paths. they dig all day long, Ive built a cave for my pair too and they stay in it a few days, then close it up and make a new hole somewhere else. i finally quit trying to get them to stay in the front of my tank because they move around so much

 

My HQIs went out about 20 minutes ago and looks like he is settling in his new home for the night. Sorry for the dark picture...just actinics are on.

 

its amazing how well they take to eachother, just instinct I guess, I had my goby a week before I got the shrimp and within a minute or two of the shrimp being in there the goby found him and started protecting him. hopefully they stay in the home you made them. it sucks when they move to the back or somewhere you cant see them

 

Full guard mode...

 

this is awesome. I really want to do this combination so badly, I just am so nervous about 1) huge sand piles in my tank and the effects of it. 2) if they decide to make a cave in the back of the tank. Maybe i could train them with the turkey baster to realize food comes from the front of the tank?

 

Mine is pretty trained to eat from the turkey baster, when I put the tip of it next to his hole he runs out and grabs the tip of it untill the piece of mysis shrimp comes out, its pretty funny. but he still digs holes everywhere. if they make a hole in the back of the tank its only like a day or so befor they realize there not getting food back there but he has at least 4 places in the front of the rockwork where he'll make a hole, close it up and move on the the next one

 

Mine stay in the front of my tank, which I am very happy about. My TWG actually swims out pretty far to get food. He doesn't let the other fish push him around too much.