Tiger Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus bellulus)
Tiger Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus bellulus)
Alpheus snapping shrimp fire a claw fast enough to create a collapsing cavitation bubble, and the shockwave from that collapse is loud enough — pound for pound — to rank among the loudest sounds produced by any animal in the ocean, strong enough to stun or kill small prey outright. In a reef tank this species usually pairs up with a goby roommate: the shrimp digs and maintains a shared burrow while the goby, with far better eyesight, keeps watch and signals danger through constant antennal contact.
Care level: Moderate · Temperament: Peaceful · Max size: ~2" · Min tank: 20 gal, sand bed · Reef safe: Yes · Diet: Omnivore, scavenger
At a glance
- Scientific name
- Alpheus bellulus
- Common name
- Tiger Pistol Shrimp
- Water type
- Saltwater
- Care level
- Moderate
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Max size
- ~2"
- Minimum tank
- 20 gal
- Diet
- Omnivore, scavenger
- Reef safe
- Yes
When it ships
Most non-quarantined stock goes out the week you order. If we do not already have the animal in-house we source it first — allow up to two weeks for it to reach us. Live animals leave Monday and Tuesday, and Early AM Overnight is the only service that carries a live arrival guarantee.
The live guarantee
Shipped Early AM Overnight: a 1-hour DOA window from confirmed delivery, and nothing beyond it. Next Day Air and 2-Day carry no live arrival guarantee, and neither does USPS Priority. Local pickup or local delivery: 24 hours, if you bring a water sample from your aquarium and we test it before the animal goes home. Maintenance clients: 60 days when we service the aquarium at least twice a month, 28 days on a monthly plan.
Expert guidance
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