Not furry either, still lovely.
Tiger Pistol Shrimp
Alpheus bellulus
Also called Pretty snapping shrimp, Tiger snapping shrimp
From Indo-West Pacific tropical waters, often recorded off Japan12
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Exoskeleton with one oversized snapping claw
A sturdy shrimp with a yellow to yellowish-white body marked with symmetrical tiger-like patches in light brown, purple-brown or orange-brown. The legs are banded and the antennae red. Its right claw is much larger than the left and is used to make a loud snap.1
Personality what they are like
Peaceful but busy. It keeps to its burrow and relies on a goby partner to warn it of danger.1
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Highly active digger that spends much of the day shifting sand and gravel to maintain its tunnels.1
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Needs a sandy bottom it can rearrange freely and is best paired with a compatible goby. Expect some rearranging of loose sand and rubble.1
Home where they are happiest
A marine aquarium with a deep sand bed mixed with shell and rubble for building burrows. Wild animals live on sandy or muddy bottoms in shallow water down to about 20 m. Exact water parameters and minimum tank size were not given by the sources found.1
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Omnivorous scavenger that eats small invertebrates, detritus, algae and carcasses. In aquariums it accepts flakes, pellets and frozen mysis or brine shrimp.1
Company who they like around
Classic partner of burrowing gobies such as the yellow watchman goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus): the shrimp digs and keeps the den, while the goby stands guard.1
The story where it all began
The tiger pistol shrimp was described by Miya and Miyake in 1969. Its partnership with watchman gobies has made the pair a well-loved display in reef aquariums.21
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Snapping its big claw shoots out a bubble faster than 100 km/h, which collapses with a crack that can reach about 218 decibels.1
- 2
The collapsing bubble briefly heats up to around 4,800 °C.1
- 3
It shares its burrow with a goby that acts as a lookout, and sometimes also with a porcelain crab.1
- 4
It reinforces its tunnels with bits of shell and coral.1
Recognised by the official bits
- Taxonomy (via SeaLifeBase)
- Described by Miya & Miyake in 1969; family Alpheidae (snapping shrimps).2
- SeaLifeBase
- Not evaluated by the IUCN and not listed under CITES or CMS.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Tiger Pistol Shrimp. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingDepends on species, many feed from the light and the watervaries
- Salinity checkevery week
- Water testevery week
- Top-upTop up evaporation with fresh RO water, not salt waterevery day
- Water changeAbout 10 to 20% of the waterevery 2 weeks
- Light checkevery month
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Tiger Pistol Shrimp?
Feed your shrimp once or twice a day, offering only what it can finish in a few minutes. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests feeding depends on the species, so watch your shrimp and adjust as needed. For exact amounts, check the food label and ask your vet.1 Furry Diary plan
What does a Tiger Pistol Shrimp eat, and what should it never eat?
It is an omnivorous scavenger that eats small invertebrates, detritus, algae, and carcasses, and in aquariums it accepts flakes, pellets, and frozen mysis or brine shrimp. Never feed it anything that could foul the water quickly, like large pieces of meat, and avoid any foods not meant for marine invertebrates. For specific foods to avoid, ask your vet or a good breeder.1
How much space does a Tiger Pistol Shrimp need?
Exact minimum tank size was not given in the sources found, so it varies. A good rule is to provide a marine aquarium with a deep sand bed mixed with shell and rubble for burrowing. For specific space needs, ask your vet or a good breeder.
What temperature, light or water does a Tiger Pistol Shrimp need?
Exact water parameters were not given in the sources found, so they vary. It needs a marine aquarium with a deep sand bed, and Furry Diary's plan includes weekly salinity checks and water tests, plus a monthly light check. For precise temperature and water values, ask your vet or a good breeder. Furry Diary plan
How often should I clean a Tiger Pistol Shrimp's home?
Furry Diary's starting plan suggests a 10 to 20% water change every two weeks, and top up evaporation daily with fresh RO water. Also, do weekly water tests and salinity checks. Avoid overcleaning, as the shrimp needs a stable environment with its burrows intact. Furry Diary plan
Can a Tiger Pistol Shrimp live with others?
Yes, it is the classic partner of burrowing gobies like the yellow watchman goby, where the shrimp digs and the goby stands guard. It is peaceful but busy, so it can live with other peaceful tank mates, but avoid aggressive fish. For specific tank mates, ask your vet or a good breeder.1
How long does a Tiger Pistol Shrimp live?
Exact lifespan was not given in the sources found, so it varies. With proper care in a stable marine aquarium, many shrimp live several years. For a more precise estimate, ask your vet or a good breeder.
Can I handle a Tiger Pistol Shrimp?
It is best not to handle it, as it has a large snapping claw that can make a loud snap and may cause injury. It is a shy creature that relies on its burrow and goby partner for safety. Instead, enjoy watching it from a distance.1
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Alpheus bellulus (Wikipedia) en.wikipedia.orgused for names, range, size, appearance, habitat, goby symbiosis, snapping claw, diet, fun facts
- Alpheus bellulus, SeaLifeBase sealifebase.seused for author and year, max length, distribution, conservation status
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.