Candy Pistol Shrimp
Candy Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus randalli).
Available for local pickup only
Bring one of the ocean’s most fascinating partnerships to your reef with the Candy Pistol Shrimp! Known for its bold red-and-white stripes and signature “pistol” claw, this tiny shrimp pairs perfectly with watchman gobies to create a fun and natural display of symbiosis in your aquarium.
Watch as the shrimp digs and maintains burrows while its goby partner stands guard — a true teamwork show that’s endlessly rewarding to observe!
Key Care Information
✅ Size: Small — grows up to 1–2 inches long.
✅ Temperament: Completely peaceful, shy, and loves to burrow.
✅ Reef Safe: 100% safe with corals, inverts, and peaceful fish.
✅ Diet: Omnivorous scavenger — enjoys leftover meaty foods, mysis, brine shrimp, and sinking pellets near its burrow.
✅ Behavior: Famous for pairing with gobies like Yellow Watchman or Yasha Gobies — they share a burrow for safety!
Description
Specifications
Video Links
User Manual
Candy Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus randalli)
Available for local pickup only
📌 Identification
The Candy Pistol Shrimp — sometimes called the Randall’s Pistol Shrimp — is a small, peaceful shrimp known for its brightly colored bands and its amazing partnership with watchman gobies.
✅ Appearance:
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Small size, usually up to 1–2 inches long.
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White body with striking red or orange horizontal stripes and sometimes yellow highlights.
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One claw is much larger — the “pistol” — used to make a loud snapping sound!
Why Reef Hobbyists Love Candy Pistol Shrimp
The Candy Pistol Shrimp is famous for its symbiotic relationship with certain gobies like the Yellow Watchman Goby or the Yasha Goby.
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The shrimp digs and maintains a burrow in the sand.
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The goby acts as a lookout, warning the shrimp of predators.
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Together, they form one of the coolest and most natural pairs you can have in a reef tank!
They are peaceful, fun to watch, and help keep the sand bed stirred up and healthy.
✅ Reef Safety
✔️ 100% reef safe — they won’t harm corals, fish, or other inverts.
✔️ Mostly shy — they spend their days digging tunnels and only come out with their goby partner nearby.
✅ Care Level
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Difficulty: Easy — hardy and beginner-friendly.
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Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons or larger.
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Diet: Omnivorous — will scavenge leftover meaty foods (like mysis or brine shrimp) and small sinking foods near their burrow.
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Behavior: Loves to burrow — provide a sandy substrate and plenty of live rock to anchor their tunnels.
Water Conditions
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Temperature: 72–78°F
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Salinity: 1.023–1.025 SG
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pH: 8.1–8.4
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Needs stable reef conditions — avoid copper-based treatments.
Tank Mates
✅ Pairs perfectly with compatible gobies like Yellow Watchman, Yasha, Hi Fin, or Pinkbar Gobies.
✅ Good with peaceful reef fish, corals, snails, and other shrimp species.
❌ Avoid aggressive fish that might harass or eat shrimp.
Fun Fact
The Candy Pistol Shrimp’s oversized claw can snap shut so fast that it creates a cavitation bubble, producing a loud “popping” sound and a shockwave that can stun tiny prey. This unique snap is also how it defends its burrow!