What are the pistol shrimp snapping at? I saw a show that documented them and it shows one killing a cleaner shrimp. I am wanting a pistol shrimp for my system, but don't want any risk to my peppermint, cleaner and fire shrimp.

I currently have 2 cleaner shrimp, 2 peppermint shrimp and 1 (that I know of) pistol shrimp that is paired up with a shrimp goby. They reside in different sections of the tank. The cleaners and peppermints cross paths all the time after lights out when go exploring and the pistol shrimp lives under one of my tower or LR. He is not seen very often.....but I have not had any issues thus far... All have been in there for about 4 months together.

What the pistol shrimp snaps at????? I think whenever anyone (fish iincluded) get to close to the entrance to his cave he lets out a snap to warn them off. I also believe that he snaps when he is collecting his food.

Cheers
Lawrence

usually i would guess pistol shrimp unless other signs like dead crabs and snails,
i once bought a pistol shrimp that was so loud i couldnt sleep and i had to catch him and take him back after a couple weeks.
so far all the snails and crabs seem to be alive but i did have 2 pepperment shrimp dissapear but after checking out the tank non stop and not finding anything i gave up and if i didnt see the mantis with my own eyes i wouldnt believe it.
sofar the trap only catches mystery wrasses.

Pistol shrimp eat other types of shrimp in the wild. The snapping sound is a shock wave that stuns the prey.

here you go
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKPrGxB1Kzc

I am familiar with the sonic boom for catching prey... I was simply sharing my experience.

Cheers
Lawrence

Sorry I wasn't trying to be a d**k, just throwing out some interesting info. FWIW I think I have a pistol and I have 2 cleaners and 2 peppermints (I think the peps are still in there) Apparently mantis shrimp will only snap once or twice where a pistol will snap several times in a row.

I guess you never know until you actually find the source.....I am still curious if this is the hitchhiker crab in my tank making the noise, but I can't get him out without tearing EVERYTHING down!!:twised::twised: