Randall's Pistol Shrimp

Macroalgae Farms

Randall's Pistol Shrimp

$35.99 $39.99
-10%

Key Features:
⭐ Bold red-and-white banded shrimp with striking long white antennae and arms
• Natural predator of bristle worms and small pests
• Adds personality and interactive behavior to the tank
• Hardy and adaptable shrimp that does well in established displays

Out of stock

This product will be available for sale in 2 weeks, but you can pre-order now to receive 10% discount!

Estimated delivery between September 26 and September 28.

Randall's Pistol Shrimp
$35.99 $39.99
$35.99 $39.99

About this item

Randall's Pistol Shrimp

The Randall's Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus randalli) — also called the Randall's Snapping Shrimp or Candy Stripe Pistol Shrimp — is one of the most fascinating, uniquely behaving, and endlessly watchable invertebrates in the entire saltwater hobby. A striking translucent body is dramatically banded with vivid red-orange and crisp white stripes running the length of the body in a distinctive candy-cane pattern, accented by vibrant yellow-green legs and antennae, and finished by the species' signature oversized snapping claw that can produce an audible "click" as it closes at extraordinary speed — one of the most photogenic small invertebrate silhouettes available anywhere in the entire marine trade. Even without any behavioral display, the Randall's Pistol Shrimp is one of the most beautiful shrimp species in the hobby based on color alone.

What makes the Randall's Pistol Shrimp genuinely legendary in the reef community is the remarkable natural symbiotic partnership it forms with shrimp goby species — one of the most captivating mutualistic relationships in the entire marine world, and one that transforms your reef display into a living natural behavior exhibit. In this partnership, the nearly-blind Randall's Pistol Shrimp digs and maintains an elaborate sand burrow shared with a compatible goby (most famously Randall's Shrimp Goby Amblyeleotris randalli, Yasha Goby Stonogobiops yasha, or Yellow Watchman Goby Cryptocentrus cinctus) — the goby stands guard at the burrow entrance using its superior vision, warning the shrimp of predators via tactile antenna contact and dorsal fin flicks, while the shrimp provides the safe refuge that both species retreat into when threatened. Watching this natural cooperation unfold in your own display tank is one of the most rewarding experiences in the entire saltwater hobby. For reefers seeking a beginner-friendly invertebrate with genuinely unique natural behavior, an active sand-bed engineer that stirs and aerates the substrate, and one of the most photogenic small shrimp species available, Randall's Pistol Shrimp delivers extraordinary value for its small footprint.

Available Options

1 Randall's Pistol Shrimp

  • One healthy Randall's Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus randalli) — hand-selected from current inventory
  • Distinctive translucent body with vivid red-orange and white candy-cane banding
  • Yellow-green legs and antennae with signature oversized snapping claw
  • Beginner-friendly reef-safe invertebrate for tanks with 2"+ sand bed and stable rockwork

Care Information

🌡️ Temperature
72–78°F (22–26°C)		 🧂 Salinity
1.023–1.026 — stable parameters critical for molting
🏠 Tank Size
20+ gallons minimum with 2-3"+ fine sand bed and stable rockwork		 🍽️ Diet
Omnivore — mysis, brine shrimp, sinking pellets, will scavenge detritus
🐠 Temperament
Peaceful — reef-safe, territorial around burrow, symbiotic with compatible gobies		 ⚙️ Care Level
Easy — beginner-friendly with sand bed and rockwork requirements

Special Considerations

For the full natural symbiotic display experience, Randall's Pistol Shrimp should ideally be paired with a compatible shrimp goby species — the most iconic and successful pairings are with Randall's Shrimp Goby (Amblyeleotris randalli), Yasha Goby (Stonogobiops yasha), or Yellow Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus) — introduced simultaneously to encourage natural bonding. Without a symbiotic goby partner, the shrimp will still thrive but may spend more time hidden in its burrow. Provide a minimum 20-gallon aquarium with a fine sand bed at least 2 to 3 inches deep (aragonite sand 0.5-1mm ideal) to accommodate the shrimp's burrowing behavior — this species digs elaborate multi-chamber burrows and is one of the most active sand-bed engineers in the invertebrate trade. Stable rockwork placed directly on the tank bottom (not on top of the sand) is essential to prevent burrow collapses that could injure the shrimp; the shrimp will excavate underneath live rock structures to build its burrow system. The Randall's Pistol Shrimp produces an audible "clicking" sound with its signature snapping claw — this is the species' defense mechanism and communication signal, and while some reefers find it charming, others may notice it during quiet evening hours. This is completely normal behavior and not a cause for concern. The shrimp is peaceful and reef-safe with corals, fish, and other invertebrates, but is territorial within its immediate burrow area and may snap defensively at very small invertebrates that enter its territory. Feed the shrimp with meaty frozen foods (mysis, brine shrimp, chopped krill), sinking pellets, and finely chopped seafood — the shrimp is an active scavenger and will forage widely for leftover food and detritus. Stable water parameters are essential for successful molting; large parameter swings can cause failed molts and specimen loss. Randall's Pistol Shrimp is nearly blind and relies heavily on tactile signals from antennae and (when paired) goby fin movements to sense its environment — this makes the symbiotic goby partnership particularly rewarding when properly established.

🔍 Aquarium Insights

Randall's Pistol Shrimp is one of the most fascinating and beginner-friendly invertebrates available to reef keepers:

  • Distinctive translucent body with vivid red-orange and white candy-cane banding — one of the most photogenic small invertebrate species in the entire marine trade
  • Famous natural symbiotic partnership with shrimp gobies — one of the most captivating mutualistic relationships in the marine world, transforming any reef display into a living behavior exhibit
  • A beginner-friendly reef-safe invertebrate with genuinely unique natural behavior — active sand-bed engineer, engaging symbiotic partner for compatible gobies, and one of the most rewarding small invertebrate additions available to reefers building a natural-behavior-focused display

Learn More

For detailed species information, compatibility, and care tips, visit our Species Library.

Livestock Disclaimer

Due to natural variation, the Randall's Pistol Shrimp you receive will be hand-selected from current inventory displaying the characteristic translucent body with red-orange and white banded pattern and yellow-green appendages. Specific size, band pattern, and color intensity cannot be guaranteed and are determined at packing time.

Photographs are representative examples. Individual specimens may vary in size, band width, and color intensity.

Randall's Pistol Shrimp requires a fine sand bed at least 2 to 3 inches deep and stable rockwork placed directly on the tank bottom to build its burrow safely. The shrimp produces an audible clicking sound as normal defensive behavior. For the full symbiotic display, pair with a compatible shrimp goby species introduced simultaneously. As with all live animals, proper acclimation and a suitable, established environment are essential for best results.

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