Hey there! I’ve been keeping pistol shrimp for several years now, and lemme tell you – these little guys are fascinating creatures with some pretty unique eating habits If you’re wondering what these snapping shrimps munch on, you’re in the right place!
Quick Diet Overview
Pistol shrimp are primarily carnivores and opportunistic scavengers. In my experience, they’ll eat:
- Small crustaceans (their favorite!)
- Worms
- Tiny mollusks
- Fish larvae and eggs
- Zooplankton
- Detritus and algae (when other food is scarce)
How They Hunt and Catch Their Food
The coolest thing about pistol shrimp is how they hunt – it’s like having a tiny underwater gunslinger in your tank! They use their oversized claw (called “the Pistol”) to create a powerful snap that can:
- Shoot water jets at speeds up to 60 mph
- Create shock waves that stun or kill prey
- Make a super loud “pop” sound (up to 226 decibels!)
Fun fact The snap also creates a tiny flash of light that’s as hot as the sun (around 5505°C) – though you can’t see it with your naked eye!
Feeding Your Pistol Shrimp in Captivity
Here’s what I feed my pistol shrimp
Best Foods
- Fresh seafood (finely chopped):
- Shrimp
- Squid
- Mussel
- Clam
- Frozen foods:
- Mysis shrimp
- Brine shrimp
- Cyclops
- Fish eggs
- Other options:
- Freeze-dried plankton
- Meaty pellets/flakes
- Live brine shrimp
- Blackworms
Feeding Tips
- Feed 1-2 times daily
- Target feed near their burrow entrance
- Use a pipette or turkey baster for precise feeding
- Turn off lights for shy individuals
- Remove uneaten food quickly
What NOT to Feed Them
Stay away from:
- Flake foods high in plant matter
- Land animal meats (like beef heart)
- Too much food (causes high nitrates)
- Anything with copper (toxic to shrimp!)
Their Natural Feeding Behavior
These little guys are mostly nocturnal feeders and pretty shy. In my tanks, they usually:
- Hide in their burrows during the day
- Come out at night to hunt and scavenge
- Clean up leftover food and debris
- Sometimes share food with their goby partners
Speaking of gobies – if your pistol shrimp has a goby buddy, they might team up for food! The goby often acts like a food delivery service, bringing snacks back to their shared burrow. Pretty neat, right?
Common Feeding Problems and Solutions
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Not eating | Target feed directly at burrow |
| Overfeeding | Only feed what they’ll eat in minutes |
| Aggression | Keep well-fed to prevent attacks |
| Bloating | Avoid foods that expand in water |
| Cannibalism | Feed regularly and adequately |
Final Thoughts
Feeding pistol shrimp isn’t super complicated once you get the hang of it. The main things to remember are:
- Keep their diet mostly meaty
- Feed them regularly
- Target feed near their burrow
- Don’t overfeed
- Remove leftovers
I’ve found that happy, well-fed pistol shrimp can live 3-4 years in captivity. Just maintain good water quality and keep those meaty foods coming!
Got any questions about feeding your pistol shrimp? Drop ’em in the comments below – I’d love to help out!
Quick Notes about Pistol Shrimp
| Name | Pistol shrimp |
| Other Names | Snapping shrimp |
| Scientific Name | family Alpheidae |
| Tank size (minimum) | 30 gallons (~120 liters) |
| Keeping | Easy |
| Breeding | Difficult |
| Size | up 3 – 5 cm (~1 – 2 inches) |
| Optimal Temperature | 24 – 28°C (~75°F – 82°F) |
| Water type | SG = 1.021 – 1.025 |
| Optimal PH | 8.1 – 8.4 |
| Optimal KH | 7 – 12 |
| Nitrate | Less than 20 ppm |
| Diet | Mostly Carnivore / Omnivore |
| Temperament | Reef Safe with caution |
| Life span | up to 4 years |
| Color Form | Lots of color variations (White, green, red, brown, etc.) |
Tank Requirements and Water Parameters
The recommended tank size for housing the Pistol shrimp is a minimum of 30 gallons (120 liters), larger tanks are even better.
This provides enough room for the shrimp to roam and helps it avoid close contact with other critters in the reef tank. Do not underestimate how important that is! Small tanks will increase aggression in Pistol shrimp.
Temperature: The ideal temperature range for keeping Pistol shrimp is 75 – 82 °F (24 – 28 °C). pH: Keep the pH between the values 6.5 – 7.5. Hardness: Optimal water hardness values is between 8 – 12 dKH. Salinity: 1.024 – 1.026, 1.025 is ideal. Calcium: 400 – 450 ppm Magnesium: 1250 – 1350 ppm Nitrates: < 10 ppm Phosphates: < 0.1 ppm
Light is not that important for the Pistol shrimp. In most cases, it will avoid it for most of the time.
Therefore, basically, Lighting should be adapted to the needs of the reef tank.
The Pistol shrimp prefers sandy bottoms which it can burrow deeply into and create a fortress for itself and a host gobyfish. Therefore, 2+ inches (5 cm and more) of depth will be much appreciated.
Note: Keep in mind that fine sand can get carried around the tank by the water flow once tossed. Corals sitting on the sand may be buried.
They also need small rubble pieces to build up tunnel walls. Be sure to provide plenty of rockwork, this will make the shrimp more comfortable.
Tip: Because of the endless burrowing and remodeling the shrimp usually do, you will have to ensure that your rocks are is secure. Otherwise, the shrimp can undermine the sand it is resting on and you will have an avalanche of rock work and corals.
What Do Pistol Shrimp Eat? – The Marine Life Explorer
FAQ
What do you feed a pistol shrimp?
- brine shrimp,
- scallop,
- mussel,
- mysis shrimp,
- as well as flake and sinking pellet foods.
Can a pistol shrimp live without a goby?
However, pistol shrimp can survive independently, but the presence of a goby enhances their survival and territorial protection.Aug 2, 2023
How do you take care of a pistol shrimp?
Care Requirements
The water parameters should be stable, with a temperature between 72-78F and a pH of 8.0-8.3. It’s also important to note that Tiger Pistol Shrimp, like other invertebrates, are intolerant of copper in their tanks. Therefore, any treatments or supplements containing copper should be avoided.
Could a pistol shrimp hurt a human?
While a pistol shrimp can’t inflict a lethal injury on a human, they can certainly cause pain and potential damage. Their powerful claws, when snapped shut, generate cavitation bubbles that can be loud enough to cause temporary or even permanent hearing loss.
What is a pistol shrimp?
The Pistol shrimp is renowned for its powerful snapping ability. Basically, the shrimp utilizes its large claw as a communication tool and a weapon. It produces a loud snapping sound by a rapid closure of the claw and this snapping sound is touted as one of the loudest sounds in the ocean.
What do pistol shrimp eat?
Cannibalism – Larger pistol shrimp may sometimes eat smaller members of their own species if hungry. Hand feeding – It is possible to hand feed pistol shrimp once they are acclimated. Use tongs to deliver small pieces of meaty foods. Pistol shrimp should be offered a varied carnivorous diet in the aquarium. Here are some of the best options:
Are pistol shrimp omnivores?
Pistol shrimp are omnivores, which means they eat both plant and animal matter. This diverse diet helps them survive in a variety of environments, from the sandy substrates of their natural habitats to the artificial rockwork of your aquarium. One of the most intriguing aspects of pistol shrimp is their ability to scavenge for food.
Do pistol shrimp eat worms?
Small Fish: While they may not actively chase after bigger, fast-moving fish, pistol shrimp are opportunistic hunters. If a small fish comes close enough to its snapping range, it often becomes the next meal. Worms: Burrowing and sand-dwelling worms are some of the easier prey for pistol shrimp to catch.
Do pistol shrimp eat dead fish?
In addition to their scavenging and frozen foods, pistol shrimp will also eat small dead fish. This might sound unusual, but it’s a natural part of their diet in the wild. They’ll use their powerful claws to crack open the shells of small crustaceans and devour the soft flesh inside.
What do tiger pistol shrimp eat?
The tiger pistol shrimp is a carnivore, preying primarily on small invertebrates. It may also eat detritus and macroalgae, and will scavenge carcasses near its burrow. If it has formed a symbiotic relationship with a goby, the goby may bring it food. Apart from detritus, they will also accept small meaty foods such as: