HELP me find my shrimp...

SereneAquatic · 03/13/2018, 11:59 AM

Um... Really dumb thing here. I ordered a bonded pair of hobbies and a pistol shrimp... But when I opened the bar with the rocks I swear it is empty. Here is the pic... L.A. Says he is 3/4 inch long. I see nada...

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

aznflyfisherman · 03/13/2018, 12:09 PM

Where is your goby? Maybe you got a ghost shrimp and a ghost goby?

SereneAquatic · 03/13/2018, 12:11 PM

They were all packaged separately. The gobies are acclimating.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Jekerry · 03/13/2018, 12:15 PM

Could he be in one of the rocks?

SereneAquatic · 03/13/2018, 12:17 PM

I tried turning them all. There is one TINY hole, but I doubt he could fit in it. Maybe i got the elusive Invisible Shrimp!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Jekerry · 03/13/2018, 12:33 PM

You have to pay extra for the invisible ones.

Actually all I ever see of my pistol is his antenna, so he might as well be invisible!

billdogg · 03/13/2018, 02:00 PM

How big are those pieces of rock? They all look small but with nothing for perspective it's kinda hard to tell.

SereneAquatic · 03/13/2018, 04:51 PM

They are about 3/4 to an inch or so.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Anemone · 03/13/2018, 05:08 PM

If those rocks are 1", there's nothing big enough for a 3/4" pistol shrimp to hide in. That was an expensive bag of water (and a few rocks).

Kevin

Bent · 03/13/2018, 05:18 PM

He’s there. No one can see him?

Top of the picture.

oldhead · 03/13/2018, 06:53 PM

I see nothing but rocks. I kinda have the same problem, I bought a pistol for my watchman and haven’t seen him since I put him in the tank. It has been a month.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

j.falk · 03/13/2018, 07:44 PM

What is the thing caught inside of the green mesh?

\Clownfish/ · 03/13/2018, 08:21 PM

Place a small amount of food, turn lights off and get a nice flashlight and go hunting. He might pop out.

Bent · 03/13/2018, 09:46 PM

Guys top of the pic. Zoom in.

ramseynb · 03/14/2018, 02:51 AM

I ordered a pair of gobies and a pistol from LA not too long ago and I couldn’t believe how tiny the pistol was. Hopefully you didn’t throw him out with the bag or something! If the food idea doesn’t work, you could try throwing the rocks in some RO/DI and see if something comes out.

On a side note, my shrimp did not have any rock shipped with it. Also, it’s definitely alive in my tank because I see signs on it bulldozing around and hear him shoot his pistol all day long.

Bent · 03/14/2018, 05:30 AM

I’m totally kidding.

SereneAquatic · 03/14/2018, 05:57 AM

Yeah I have no idea what happened. He never appeared. Seems like they sent me a bag of rocks. We checked the plastic bag like 10 times thinking he had lodged in a fold of plastic or something, but could not find him.

LA gave me a credit... But they probably think I am an idiot. "Uh... Yeah... You sent me an empty bag?" I'm sure they were thinking "yeah right"

Now I'm sad because my gobies don't have their shrimp. Kind of doubting that they are a bonded pair too... They aren't sticking very near each other in the tank. The big one seems fond of the smaller one... But the little one keeps running away lol

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Bent · 03/14/2018, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SereneAquatic

Yeah I have no idea what happened. He never appeared. Seems like they sent me a bag of rocks. We checked the plastic bag like 10 times thinking he had lodged in a fold of plastic or something, but could not find him.

LA gave me a credit... But they probably think I am an idiot. "Uh... Yeah... You sent me an empty bag?" I'm sure they were thinking "yeah right"

Now I'm sad because my gobies don't have their shrimp. Kind of doubting that they are a bonded pair too... They aren't sticking very near each other in the tank. The big one seems fond of the smaller one... But the little one keeps running away lol

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I’ve heard stories of LA just selling two random fish and selling them as a “bonded pair”. Flat out lying if you ask me.

Jekerry · 03/14/2018, 06:49 AM

Can you trade the extra goby for a pistol shrimp at a local fish store?

SereneAquatic · 03/14/2018, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jekerry

Can you trade the extra goby for a pistol shrimp at a local fish store?

Not a bad idea. The little one is A LOT smaller than the big one. Talking almost 2 inches to about 3/4 of an inch. Is that normal for them?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Tripod1404 · 03/14/2018, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SereneAquatic

Not a bad idea. The little one is A LOT smaller than the big one. Talking almost 2 inches to about 3/4 of an inch. Is that normal for them?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Yeah that is a way used by stores to prevent them from fighting. So when they pair fish, they take one big and one small specimen. Mostly bigger will be the male and smaller will be the female (or vice versa in certain fish).

If you mix fish that are about the same size, there will almost always be fighting, even if they are a male and a female. Size difference predetermines the hierarchy and who is dominant, so there is very little to no fighting for determining that.

SereneAquatic · 03/14/2018, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tripod1404

Yeah that is a way used by stores to prevent them from fighting. So when they pair fish, they take one big and one small specimen. Mostly bigger will be the male and smaller will be the female (or vice versa in certain fish).

If you mix fish that are about the same size, there will almost always be fighting, even if they are a male and a female. Size difference predetermines the hierarchy and who is dominant, so there is very little to no fighting for determining that.

Sounds like they didn't really have a bonded pair, but they suspect that these two will BECOME bonded in time, due to the size diff.

I kind of feel like I didn't get what I paid for (not counting the entirely missing shrimp). There is enough room for me to give them the benefit of the doubt I suppose. The gobies MAY bond and they did give me credit for the shrimp... So... Can I really complain?

Probably not.

That wasn't all that was in this order either, and the other fish is doing great so far, so I guess I will just hunt for a shrimp locally.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Tripod1404 · 03/14/2018, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SereneAquatic

Sounds like they didn't really have a bonded pair, but they suspect that these two will BECOME bonded in time, due to the size diff.

I kind of feel like I didn't get what I paid for (not counting the entirely missing shrimp). There is enough room for me to give them the benefit of the doubt I suppose. The gobies MAY bond and they did give me credit for the shrimp... So... Can I really complain?

Probably not.

That wasn't all that was in this order either, and the other fish is doing great so far, so I guess I will just hunt for a shrimp locally.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

"Bonded pair" designation they use just mean that the fish were being kept together in the same tank at their own facility and were not fighting. They sometimes just put different fish together and look if they fight or not (kinda like a trail an error) until they fish two fish that get along. Or they mix like 20 fish, and pick up the ones that follow each other or stay close to each other. Since they have bare bottom, shallow and divided tanks, it is very easy to to these.

I highly doubt these fish even saw each other in the ocean, they are most probably are not even from the same patch of reef.

I have seen "bonded pairs " that were color morphs of the specie that lives in different regions (like hawaii and vanuatu).

ramseynb · 03/14/2018, 05:36 PM

Just buy a pistol shrimp from your LFS. TBH, had I known how tiny the shrimp was going to be, I would have done that because then I’d know I was getting something over 3/4” (if that!). I’m just hoping he grows and starts coming out from hiding some. All I see are his little piles of sand he leaves around his home and hear him snap throughout the day.

03/13/2018, 11:59 AM	#1
SereneAquatic Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Middle TN Posts: 200	HELP me find my shrimp... Um... Really dumb thing here. I ordered a bonded pair of hobbies and a pistol shrimp... But when I opened the bar with the rocks I swear it is empty. Here is the pic... L.A. Says he is 3/4 inch long. I see nada... Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk __________________ Build Thread: "A new reefer... a new tank. What could go wrong?" Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer 425 XL Deluxe, Nano Max, 55g Observation, 20g QT

03/13/2018, 12:09 PM	#2
aznflyfisherman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 957	Where is your goby? Maybe you got a ghost shrimp and a ghost goby? Last edited by aznflyfisherman; 03/13/2018 at 12:16 PM.

03/13/2018, 12:11 PM	#3
SereneAquatic Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Middle TN Posts: 200	They were all packaged separately. The gobies are acclimating. Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk __________________ Build Thread: "A new reefer... a new tank. What could go wrong?" Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer 425 XL Deluxe, Nano Max, 55g Observation, 20g QT

03/13/2018, 12:17 PM	#5
SereneAquatic Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Middle TN Posts: 200	I tried turning them all. There is one TINY hole, but I doubt he could fit in it. Maybe i got the elusive Invisible Shrimp! Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk __________________ Build Thread: "A new reefer... a new tank. What could go wrong?" Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer 425 XL Deluxe, Nano Max, 55g Observation, 20g QT

03/13/2018, 02:00 PM	#7
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	How big are those pieces of rock? They all look small but with nothing for perspective it's kinda hard to tell. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

03/13/2018, 12:15 PM	#4
Jekerry Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 205	Could he be in one of the rocks?

03/13/2018, 12:33 PM	#6
Jekerry Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 205	You have to pay extra for the invisible ones. Actually all I ever see of my pistol is his antenna, so he might as well be invisible!

03/13/2018, 04:51 PM	#8
SereneAquatic Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Middle TN Posts: 200	They are about 3/4 to an inch or so. Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk __________________ Build Thread: "A new reefer... a new tank. What could go wrong?" Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer 425 XL Deluxe, Nano Max, 55g Observation, 20g QT

03/13/2018, 05:08 PM	#9
Anemone Cloning Around Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Valencia, California Posts: 25,267	If those rocks are 1", there's nothing big enough for a 3/4" pistol shrimp to hide in. That was an expensive bag of water (and a few rocks). Kevin __________________ Back in the pool, swimming with the sharks... Current Tank Info: Red Sea 425XL w/Kessil AP700, Vertex 180i Skimmer, 2 x Vortech MP40s

03/13/2018, 05:18 PM	#10
Bent I got nothin' Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The anals Posts: 6,420	He’s there. No one can see him? Top of the picture. __________________ Quitters never lose. [QUOTE=CStrickland]Who gets mad at a starfish?[/QUOTE] Current Tank Info: 75g DT, 30G refugium, 10g chaeto tank, 50g stock tank basement sump

03/13/2018, 06:53 PM	#11
oldhead Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: New Jersey Posts: 527	I see nothing but rocks. I kinda have the same problem, I bought a pistol for my watchman and haven’t seen him since I put him in the tank. It has been a month. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

03/13/2018, 07:44 PM	#12
j.falk Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 632	What is the thing caught inside of the green mesh?

03/13/2018, 08:21 PM	#13
\Clownfish/ Saltwater Beginner $\Clownfish/'s Avatar$ Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Anemone Posts: 629	Place a small amount of food, turn lights off and get a nice flashlight and go hunting. He might pop out. __________________ Keep your friends close, and your anemones closer.
$\Clownfish/ is offline$

03/13/2018, 09:46 PM	#14
Bent I got nothin' Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The anals Posts: 6,420	Guys top of the pic. Zoom in. __________________ Quitters never lose. [QUOTE=CStrickland]Who gets mad at a starfish?[/QUOTE] Current Tank Info: 75g DT, 30G refugium, 10g chaeto tank, 50g stock tank basement sump

03/14/2018, 02:51 AM	#15
ramseynb Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: New Braunfels, TX Posts: 630	I ordered a pair of gobies and a pistol from LA not too long ago and I couldn’t believe how tiny the pistol was. Hopefully you didn’t throw him out with the bag or something! If the food idea doesn’t work, you could try throwing the rocks in some RO/DI and see if something comes out. On a side note, my shrimp did not have any rock shipped with it. Also, it’s definitely alive in my tank because I see signs on it bulldozing around and hear him shoot his pistol all day long. __________________ How do you make an octopus laugh? Ten tickles!

03/14/2018, 05:30 AM	#16
Bent I got nothin' Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The anals Posts: 6,420	I’m totally kidding. __________________ Quitters never lose. [QUOTE=CStrickland]Who gets mad at a starfish?[/QUOTE] Current Tank Info: 75g DT, 30G refugium, 10g chaeto tank, 50g stock tank basement sump

03/14/2018, 05:57 AM	#17
SereneAquatic Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Middle TN Posts: 200	Yeah I have no idea what happened. He never appeared. Seems like they sent me a bag of rocks. We checked the plastic bag like 10 times thinking he had lodged in a fold of plastic or something, but could not find him. LA gave me a credit... But they probably think I am an idiot. "Uh... Yeah... You sent me an empty bag?" I'm sure they were thinking "yeah right" Now I'm sad because my gobies don't have their shrimp. Kind of doubting that they are a bonded pair too... They aren't sticking very near each other in the tank. The big one seems fond of the smaller one... But the little one keeps running away lol Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk __________________ Build Thread: "A new reefer... a new tank. What could go wrong?" Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer 425 XL Deluxe, Nano Max, 55g Observation, 20g QT

03/14/2018, 06:49 AM	#19
Jekerry Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 205	Can you trade the extra goby for a pistol shrimp at a local fish store?

03/14/2018, 05:36 PM	#24
ramseynb Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: New Braunfels, TX Posts: 630	Just buy a pistol shrimp from your LFS. TBH, had I known how tiny the shrimp was going to be, I would have done that because then I’d know I was getting something over 3/4” (if that!). I’m just hoping he grows and starts coming out from hiding some. All I see are his little piles of sand he leaves around his home and hear him snap throughout the day. __________________ How do you make an octopus laugh? Ten tickles!