Pistol Shrimp tank mates
Alpheus randalli
5 rated pairings from the Pistol Shrimp care guide. Compatibility here means water, temperament, tank zone and adult size all line up — the note on each card says why. Pistol Shrimp needs at least 20 gallons on its own; every companion adds to that.
Excellent matches
1 · Same water, complementary zones, no conflict.Good matches
3 · Compatible with normal care — watch space and numbers.Ocellaris Clownfish
Amphiprion ocellaris
20 gal min · 3.5" adult · Semi-aggressive
Peaceful reef fish that won't prey on or harass the shrimp in larger tanks
Neon Goby
Elacatinus oceanops
20 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Small, peaceful goby that shares similar habitat preferences without direct competition
Nerite Snail
Neritina natalensis
5 gal min · 1" adult · Peaceful
Algae-eating snail that won't compete for food and helps maintain water quality
Use caution
1 · Works in the right setup; read the note before combining.Also recommended alongside Pistol Shrimp
Species whose own guides list Pistol Shrimp as a tank mate.
Mandarin Dragonet
Synchiropus splendidus
30 gal min · 3" adult · Peaceful
Zoanthids
Zoanthus sp.
10 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Acropora
Acropora sp.
75 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Astrea Snail
Astraea tecta
10 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Azure Damsel
Chrysiptera hemicyanea
30 gal min · 3" adult · Semi-aggressive
Banggai Cardinalfish
Pterapogon kauderni
30 gal min · 3.5" adult · Peaceful
Bicolor Blenny
Ecsenius bicolor
30 gal min · 4" adult · Peaceful
Bird's Nest Coral
Seriatopora hystrix
30 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Blastomussa
Blastomussa wellsi
30 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Bumblebee Snail
Engina mendicaria
10 gal min · 1" adult · Peaceful
Camel Shrimp
Rhynchocinetes durbanensis
20 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Candy Cane Coral
Caulastrea furcata
30 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Carpenter's Fairy Wrasse
Paracheilinus carpenteri
55 gal min · 4" adult · Peaceful
Cerith Snail
Cerithium sp.
10 gal min · 1" adult · Peaceful
Chalice Coral
Echinophyllia sp.
30 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Cherub Angelfish
Centropyge argi
30 gal min · 3" adult · Semi-aggressive
Cinnamon Clownfish
Amphiprion melanopus
30 gal min · 4.5" adult · Semi-aggressive
Colt Coral
Cladiella sp.
30 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Court Jester Goby
Koumansetta rainfordi
20 gal min · 2.8" adult · Peaceful
Cup Coral
Turbinaria reniformis
30 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Diamond Watchman Goby
Valenciennea puellaris
30 gal min · 6" adult · Peaceful
Elegance Coral
Catalaphyllia jardinei
40 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Fire Shrimp
Lysmata debelius
20 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Firefish Goby
Nemateleotris magnifica
20 gal min · 3" adult · Peaceful
Planning this tank?
Run the whole stock list through the calculator — it checks bioload and schooling numbers, not just pairings.