Sister Pistol Shrimp care guide
Sister Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus soror) — minimum tank 60 L, temperature 24-26 °C, pH 8.1-8.4.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Sister Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus soror) 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 species with reddish-orange body and pale claws. Generally goby-paired.
Taxonomy
- Family: Alpheidae
- Genus: Alpheus
- Scientific name: Alpheus soror
- Common synonyms: Sister 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.
Sister Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus soror) Breeding Guide
Overview
Alpheus soror Bruce, 1999 is an accepted snapping (pistol) shrimp species in the family Alpheidae, originally described as a cryptospecies from Sri Lanka. Members of the genus carry one enlarged claw that snaps loudly, and several Alpheus species live in burrows shared with gobies. This species is of interest in marine aquaria for that symbiosis rather than as a breeding subject.
Symbiosis Biology
Goby-associated snapping shrimp dig and maintain the burrow while the goby keeps watch. The shrimp stays in tactile contact with the goby through an antenna; the better-sighted goby warns of predators with a tail signal, prompting both partners to retreat into the burrow.
Spawning & Berried Females
Female alpheids carry the fertilised eggs beneath the abdomen until hatching. Snapping shrimp commonly pair-bond and keep the same mate, and males guard the female around moulting when she is most vulnerable.
Larval Care
Alpheid larvae develop through nauplius, zoea and post-larval stages and are planktonic before settling. No whitelisted source documents a method for rearing this species through settlement in aquaria.