Why Do We know It As PISTOL SHRIMP.
Pistol Shimp
Shooting Bubbles
Fun Fact
Shooting Bubbles & Pistols
Did you know when two of these amazing shrimp meet they duel?. You heard right just like the old wild west at high noon.
The little snappers pace away from each other turn and shoot. Even tho they have amazing aim no shrimp ever gets hurt it’s just practice.
How Loud Of A Pop
How Powerful & Why Is It Called Pistol Shrimp?
So we know this shrimp uses its claw arm like a pistol but let’s have a look at how it works and how powerful is this arm!.
Firstly this enlarged pincer/claw only grows on one arm it can be on either side tho. So could be left or right-handed.
How The Pistol Works
On the end of the arm is its claw which splits into two pieces. When old pistol wants to load it opens the top part of the claw allowing water in.
The water enters a chamber within the top part of the claw. Once ready the shrimp clamps the two sides of the claw together.
This plunges the water out of the chamber. The speed and force of this mechanism ie the pinching of the claw.
Forces the water out so fast as said earlier upwards of 70 miles an hour. The speed also creates bubbles.
These bubbles are not your everyday run-of-the-mill bubbles. Oh no these are bubbles travelling at 70 miles an hour.
Fast enough to kill the shrimp’s prey. Fun fact when the bubbles pop they make a snap sound like rice crispies.
This is why we also call them SNAPPING SHRIMP.
RE-Grow RE-Load
As said earlier in this post pistol has his pistol on one arm or the other. Although if he gets his arm or claws injured.
The other arm starts to grow a new pistol claw. Now that’s awesome. As it gives them a head start they wouldn’t survive long without this remarkable weapon!.
Could They Have Two Pistols?
This begs the question could old pistol Pete the shrimp have two pistols if one grew on the other while his other was chopped off.
Well yes, I haven’t seen it with my own eyes but I haven’t NOT seen it either and if they are capable of regrowing limbs and while this is happening they are able to turn the other arm into a cannon then YES I think they can indeed end up with two guns!
Disappointedly It turns out they can not grow two cannons at the same time so no pistol shrimps don’t have two pistols!.
Sonar Blocking Transmissions
These shrimp have the ability so it seems of blocking or interfering with sonar as we found out during the second world war.
When in their large colonies they make a hell of a racket and the noise stopped submarines from talking to each other and also stopped them from even correctly locating each other.
This almost cost the Allies the war but they sorted things out in other ways as we now know.
Did Pistol Shrimp Affect The Second World War?
Yes and here’s how.
Once the Allies realised what these shrimp could do they hid their subs inside the shrimp colonies cloaking their signal so they couldn’t be spotted.
What Is The Most Powerful Shrimp?
A question that seems to come up is what’s the most powerful shrimp this is because of the reputation of the mantis shrimp?.
In combat close up the mantis wins it’s just bigger and designed to hit hard. At a distance, the pistol has a shot and will win as it’s more accurate.
Can You Have A Pistol Shrimp As A Pet?
After reading this article it’s only natural to want to ask can I have one. There are a few caveats but of cause why not!.
Yes, you can indeed keep and own a pistol shrimp and they will do fine in salt water marine tank. With rocks and coral and can be kept with other non-aggressive fish. They do well with Gobies.
Relationship With Gobies
What is the curious relationship between snapper and goby you ask?. Well, some gobies have become known as watchman goby.
They and the shrimp have learned to communicate with each other and usually live as neighbours. The shrimp use antennas to source food and then shoot it.
The watchman goby waits and tells when an intruder predator comes along. So they all have time to hide cool partnerships.
Tankmates To Avoid
Here are a few to avoid but mainly you should avoid any predator fish including triggers, puffers, groupers, lionfish, and hawkfish.
Also, the mantis is a bad idea as they dint get on and the mantis as said earlier is bigger and close up there’s only one winner.
What About Other Shrimp & Snails?
Most hobbyists believed it to be ok but research and some studies show this to be a bad idea. Our little friend pistol will indeed attack and wipe out most if not all shrimp and snails.
Nocturnal Shrimp
Something to consider this shrimp is nocturnal so you won’t see so much action in the daytime. For best viewing set a night light and view the little fella through the night.
Some Amazing Facts
What Would A Pistol Shrimp Do To A Human?
Not much damage no chance of even breaking skin let’s be honest. The shrimps about an inch long whereas the mantis are 10 inches puts a bit of perspective on things.
That being said pistol shrimp can be annoying to some as they are loud the snap and pop as we know can be 210 decibels.
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