aronmoir
08-05-2003, 2:49 AM
I added some more live rock to my tank last week. After a couple of days, I began hearing this loud clicking sound. It almost sounds like a cap gun or like I'm turning my aquarium lights on and off. This happens frequently, every few minutes or so. Sometimes it only "snaps" once, sometimes 2 or 3 times. Do I have a pistol shrimp, or what? I've never had one, and I'd imagine that's what one would sound like. Opinions? Any info. about pistol shrimps?
mogurnda
08-05-2003, 6:00 AM
Yep, sounds like pistol shrimp. The "crack" is from a specilized claw that they use for defense and for larger species to stun prey. I have about 12 that came in as hitchhikers, and they have never caused any trouble. They just scavenge. I didn't see any of them for the first 6 months, now they stick their noses out occasionally. Still very secretive, though.
Mantis shrimp, which are major troublemakers, can make a snapping sound as well, but it tends to be in bursts. Plus, livestock will start disappearing.
Ray Pollett
08-08-2003, 9:48 AM
Sounds like pistol shrimp to me also. They are good for the tank and fun to watch if and when they show thermselves. You may want to get a goby that goes with them. It is real interesting to watch and you see more of the shrimp also.
Ray