Tiger Pistol Shrimp

Alpheus bellulus is a fascinating marine pistol shrimp featuring alternating bands of cream and red-brown, most celebrated for its mutualistic relationship with watchman gobies such as Amblyeleotris and Stonogobiops species. The shrimp excavates and maintains a shared burrow while the goby acts as a lookout, warning the nearly-blind shrimp of danger with a flick of its tail. This symbiotic pair is one of the most captivating and educational displays in the reef hobby, and both partners thrive better together than alone.

Provide a sand bed of at least 7–10 cm depth for natural burrow excavation. Pair with a compatible watchman goby species (Amblyeleotris wheeleri, A. randalli, or Stonogobiops nematodes are ideal). Feed the shrimp meaty foods such as frozen mysis and Artemia sunk near the burrow entrance. Reef-safe and harmless toward corals. Avoid housing with large predatory fish that may consume the shrimp when it ventures outside the burrow.