Range: Caribbean

Natural Environment: Inhabits rubble bottom areas living in association with the sea anemone Bartholomea annulata

General Husbandry: Has a temperature range of 78 to 84°F (26 - 29°C). There is little captive system information available for this somewhat new species; however, it no doubt requires a meaty diet and hiding places, as do others in the genus. Extremely rare in the trade and quite a find in my local shop!

Let me insert here a note from a reader; I found your picture of the Anemone Pistol on the web. I happen to have one and he has been thriving in my tank for about 1 year. I got him from a supplier out of TX. He is beautiful! Very reclusive. I have a Yellow Watchman that did live wit a tiger pistol until about 11/2 months ago. The tiger pistol died after about 3 years. The Goby has not paired up w/the Anemone Pistol as of yet. I am not sure if he will. I am toying w/the issue of getting another Tiger Pistol for my Goby. Anywho, just some notes on the Anemone Pistol. When he got here to Atlanta, I thought that he was dead and he almost went to shrimp heaven. He played dead in the transport bag for the entire acclimation. I was not sure of the behavior of them since there is no info on the net about them, so I got a small plastic strainer and placed him in it at the top of the tank. (55g long) After at least 4 hours, I thought that I saw him move, so, I dropped him in the opposite side of the tank from the tiger pistol. He was on his side for at least 2 hours wedged between rocks. I was trying to figure out how I was going to get him out. Anyway, about 2:30am, I got up to check on the new arrivals and he was gone! I assumed that the other scavengers got him and took him to eat. About 2 weeks later, I heard a loud "snap" that was not the same tone as my Tiger Pistol. I started paying attention to that side of the aquarium more. Eventually, he started moving the sand and appearing slightly at feeding time. I began hand-feeding him to catch him up on nutrition. He has grown remarkably well! He has the most beautiful markings and gorgeous neon blue legs! He stays to the bottom of the tank and all anemone are at the top in the high flow. I have 8 of them. He eats meaty foods, silver sides, krill, frozen brine and mysid. He will also eat pellet food and flake when fed that. So, I hope that this helps you w/more info on them. He bothers no-one. He lives w/a Coral Banded Shrimp, many hermits & snails, 1 Pink Skunk Clown, one Royal Gramma, and a mated pair of Black Percula Clowns. There are also MANY species of coral and 8 anemone. One happy community! Thanks! Le Ann MacDougall