Candy Stripe Pistol Shrimp

The Randall’s Pistol Shrimp, also known as the Red Banded Snapping Shrimp, is easily identified by the characteristic red and white horizontal bands running the full length of its body, including the claws. The legs, however, are generally white or yellow. Like all snapping shrimps, it has one large claw that can be used to deter predators or disable potential prey. The larger claw creates a loud popping sound when opening and closing by expelling water. The expelled water can kill or stun the shrimp’s prey.

This particular pistol shrimp is found in the warm waters of the Indo-Pacific region. It commonly makes its home on the sandy bottom of the seafloor, where it will build a burrow. There it forms a unique symbiotic relationship with the Randall’s Prawn Goby. The shrimp’s burrowing activities disturb invertebrates that the goby feeds on. The shrimp, in turn, eats the detritus that is left over after the goby feeds. The goby also has very good eyesight, which the shrimp does not. When the two leave the burrow, the goby will rest its fin against the shrimp’s antane. If it senses danger it will flick the antane and both will retreat back to the safety of the burrow. A home aquarium with a sandy bottom is the perfect place to observe this unique relationship in action.

In addition to its vibrant red and white colouration and the opportunity to observe its unique relationship with the Prawn Goby, the Randall’s Pistol Shrimp is also an effective scavenger and useful member of any cleanup crew. It will consume all manner of leftover foods, including both meaty foods and leftover fish food from the sandbed and rockwork. If necessary, it can be spot fed chopped squid.

They should be kept singly in a home aquarium or as a confirmed mated pair. Interestingly, male and female Randall’s Pistol Shrimp will not share a burrow, instead preferring to build tunnels between their individual burrows.