Djibouti Pistol Shrimp care guide
Djibouti Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus djiboutensis) — minimum tank 60 L, temperature 24-26 °C, pH 8.1-8.4.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Djibouti Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus djiboutensis) is a marine pistol (snapping) shrimp of the family Alpheidae, listed in the Aquairi knowledge base as an intermediate-level species. Indo-Pacific pistol shrimp with subtly mottled tan-brown coloration. Forms burrow partnerships with various goby species.
Taxonomy
- Family: Alpheidae
- Genus: Alpheus
- Scientific name: Alpheus djiboutensis
- Common synonyms: Djibouti Pistol
Habitat
Alpheus pistol (snapping) shrimp are reef and sand-flat alpheids that bear one greatly enlarged claw. Snapping the claw produces a cavitation bubble and a loud pop used to stun prey and deter rivals; many species share a burrow with a partner goby in a well-known symbiosis. In the Aquairi knowledge base this species is recorded from Indo-Pacific.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 60 L (15.9 US gal)
- Adult size: 3-5 cm
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- GH: 8-12 °dGH
- KH: 8-12 °dKH
- Salinity (specific gravity): 1.024-1.026
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
Diet
The species is a scavenger, feeding on detritus, small invertebrates and organic particles collected around its burrow; in aquaria it readily takes sinking pellets and frozen foods.
Compatibility
The Aquairi knowledge base lists this species as peaceful. Suitable tank mates include Shrimp gobies. It should be kept away from Predatory fish. It pairs naturally with a partner goby that shares and guards its burrow.
Breeding
Breeding requires a planktonic larval stage, generally in brackish or marine water, which makes captive reproduction very difficult and rarely achieved in home aquaria.
Djibouti Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus djiboutensis) Breeding Guide
Overview
Alpheus djiboutensis De Man, 1909 is an accepted species of snapping (pistol) shrimp in the family Alpheidae, with a type locality in the Gulf of Aden and records from the Red Sea region. Like other members of the genus, it bears one greatly enlarged claw that produces a loud snap. Several Alpheus species share burrows with gobiid fishes, and this species is kept in reef aquaria for that partnership rather than for breeding.
Symbiosis Biology
In the goby–shrimp association the burrow is built and tended by the shrimp, while the goby acts as a lookout. When both are outside the burrow, the shrimp keeps an antenna in contact with the goby; the goby, which has better vision, signals danger with a characteristic tail flick, and both retreat into the shared burrow.
Spawning & Berried Females
As in other alpheids, the female carries fertilised eggs attached beneath her abdomen until they hatch. Snapping shrimp form pairs and tend to retain the same mate, with males guarding the female around her vulnerable post-moult period.
Larval Care
Alpheid development passes through nauplius, zoea and post-larval stages, with planktonic larvae before settlement. There is no documented protocol from a whitelisted source for rearing this species to settlement under aquarium conditions.