Harlequin Shrimp

IShark · 01/17/2011, 01:22 AM

I was thinking of getting a pair of Harlequin shrimp for my nano cube. I have started doing some readings. I have read that they only eat starfish? is this true?What other important info should I know what these shrimp to keep them healthy and happy?

Moort82 · 01/17/2011, 07:21 AM

Yeah its true they only eat starfish. They are fascinating and easy to keep but i don't think they should be. Some people feed them with pest asterina stars but they will quickly go through a large population (although its 50-50 whether they will eat them or not), then you would need to find more food. Starfish have a poor survival rate through importation and i don't think its fair that the ones that do make it are food.
Harly's are also becomming increasingly rare in the wild acording to the bbc news, so best not to keep them imo.

Bumblebee shrimps would make a good alternative and they share the harlequins love of starfishes tube feet but will also eat other foods.

AquaReeferMan · 01/17/2011, 09:18 AM

I kept a pair in my 125g for about a year until I broke the tank down and moved. By far my favorite shrimp in this hobby. I fed them 1 choc chip starfish every 2 weeks. You will have to supply them with stars because that is the ONLY thing they will eat. It will be a challenge but it does have its rewards. What size tank do you have?

IShark · 01/18/2011, 12:16 AM

I have a 100gal reef and a nano cube I think its around 20gal not sure. They do look really nice. Now if i put them in my nano and i keep coral and stuff will the choclate chip starfish harm my coral since its not reef safe or will the Harl take care of it before it does anything

coolname1 · 01/18/2011, 01:06 AM

they are some nice looking shrimps

MilkWeed18 · 01/18/2011, 01:35 AM

yes they only eat starfish

01/17/2011, 01:22 AM	#1
IShark Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Arlington Texas Posts: 188	Harlequin Shrimp I was thinking of getting a pair of Harlequin shrimp for my nano cube. I have started doing some readings. I have read that they only eat starfish? is this true?What other important info should I know what these shrimp to keep them healthy and happy?

01/17/2011, 09:18 AM	#3
AquaReeferMan Got Reef? Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Under the Sea, Pa Posts: 4,593	I kept a pair in my 125g for about a year until I broke the tank down and moved. By far my favorite shrimp in this hobby. I fed them 1 choc chip starfish every 2 weeks. You will have to supply them with stars because that is the ONLY thing they will eat. It will be a challenge but it does have its rewards. What size tank do you have? __________________ Couple SPS/Zoanthid tanks and a couple of FW planted tanks. Current Tank Info: 5 pieces of glass with some silicone and plastic frames holding them together Last edited by AquaReeferMan; 01/17/2011 at 09:26 AM.

01/18/2011, 01:35 AM	#6
MilkWeed18 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Orlando Posts: 135	yes they only eat starfish __________________ "If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe." - Carl Sagan

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01/17/2011, 07:21 AM	#2
Moort82 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Norfolk, England Posts: 1,576	Yeah its true they only eat starfish. They are fascinating and easy to keep but i don't think they should be. Some people feed them with pest asterina stars but they will quickly go through a large population (although its 50-50 whether they will eat them or not), then you would need to find more food. Starfish have a poor survival rate through importation and i don't think its fair that the ones that do make it are food. Harly's are also becomming increasingly rare in the wild acording to the bbc news, so best not to keep them imo. Bumblebee shrimps would make a good alternative and they share the harlequins love of starfishes tube feet but will also eat other foods.

01/18/2011, 12:16 AM	#4
IShark Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Arlington Texas Posts: 188	I have a 100gal reef and a nano cube I think its around 20gal not sure. They do look really nice. Now if i put them in my nano and i keep coral and stuff will the choclate chip starfish harm my coral since its not reef safe or will the Harl take care of it before it does anything

01/18/2011, 01:06 AM	#5
coolname1 Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 66	they are some nice looking shrimps