Feeding Harlequin Shrimp

[flapjack1439]

I have one Harlequin Shrimp I bought to control an asterernia (sp?) problem I had. It did a fine job but I think it has run out of food.

I've been told to get a chocolate chip star and put it in my sump and cut off a leg now and then to feed to the shrimp. It's also been suggested to just toss the star into my display and the shrimp will incapacitate it, so it won't damage anything, and keep it alive to eat at it's leisure.

Anyone have thoughts on this?

 

[philter4]

That is what I do. I just put the stars in the reef and when mine are done eating it I replace it.

There are several thoughts and after listining to other people who keep them there is more then one way to keep them happy and healthy. I offer them stars at all times, in the ocean I have never seen them without a star. Is this because they are always hungry or because they are easier for me to find when they have a star I'm not sure, but mine only refuse food when they are ready to shed.

As for cutting off a leg and only feeding them that, I'm sure that works, but mine eat a whole star every 7 to 10 days, that means a leg every other day or so, and to do that you have to have a lot of stars unless you are just trying to protect your reef. IMO for a star to regrow legs it takes time and food, and to have 15 stars to rotate for a months worth of feeding I don't want to spend the time and energy to keep the wound healthy and regrow the leg.

I feed mine constantly, if they are not hungry they don't have to eat, but IMO if they are hungry and you only feed once a month or so isn't fair to the shrimp. I know they can live on that schedule, I've talked to people who are very successful who only feed like that, it is just my preference to feed on their shcedule, not mine.

Good luck with yours, they are one of my favorite shrimp.

 

[flapjack1439]

How many shrimp do you have?

What's the best way to cut off the arms? With scissors or an exacto knife?

My lfs suggested freezing the star and cut it up as needed.

 

[Guygettnby]

if you freeze the star instead of keeping it alive then you wont be alowing the star to regrow its limbs and provide you with a food source. i suggest getting multiple stars and keeping them in your sump if you have one and alternate stars when cutting off limbs so you can keep them alive and not have to spend more money then needed to feed your shrimp. that is what i did when i had mine.

 

[VacavilleFC3S]

i'd suggest a butcher knife and cutting board

 

[heartbreak7]

Does anyone know if these guys eat the miniature brittle stars that most tanks have?

 

[philter4]

If they can get them out of the reef they will, but most of the mini brittle stars I have seen live in cracks and holes in the reefs and the shrimp couldn't get at them.