Harlequin shrimp PROS HELP

[satjosh]

ok i'm going to get ready a very SMALL TANK umm proly 2.5 gallon tank

for the shrimp i just wanted to know for care?
i have a biocube 29 soo i'm experienced just neeed to know info specifically to harlequin shrimp


-is protein skimmer important?
-lighting?
-water changes?
-i know choco stars is there a better choice?
-i;m getting a mated pair? any issues dealing with them
-i'm going to start getting my stuff soon prolly within sometime in april what should i get and buy supplies wise?
- can i use my old 2.5 gallon tank it is one of those starter tanks

http://www.petco.com/product/10313/All-Glass-Mini-Bow-2-5-Little-Lagoon-Starter-Kits.aspx

any any other info? i was thinking of getting a different tank i dunno yet ideas still in the air i was thinking of something abstract and hanging it on the wall soo does it mater wut kind of tank defently though will have LIVE ROCK

thank you just post replies here thank you

 

[CoRPS]

I have zero experience with harlequin shrimp. But it just seems risky to have such dead matter to feed your shrimp in such a small tank. Seems like a disaster waiting to happen.

 

[Sr5_Reef]

i agree with CoRPS. If its 2.5 gallons and your going to have sand, rock and then the 2 shrimps, there isn't enough water to have it stable. Them eating the shrimp will produce a lot of toxins. Im sure you can pull it off with 1g W/C a week.... but i would just put them in your 29g?
They are reef safe.....

 

[satjosh]

Hmm yeah that was my idea but I was just afraid of them hiding and won't be able to see them I wanted to post this b/c I see ppl doing this wit a pico tank if that's wut it is called like 2 gallons and they feed on live choco stars so no acutal waste except for their waste. Any ideas? And of course 10% at least water change every week

 

[CoRPS]

Why not plumb the 2.5 into the 29g and alleviate your problems

 

[satjosh]

Lol good idea then I also wouldn't need a heater in there too? Only thing needed is just the piping thank you. Any other ideas

 

[Sculp1n]

I've had a pair of Harlequins for almost a year now. However they are in a 225 but it sounds like you've found a solution to your 2 gallon tank waist problem. I wanted to add that for your specific tank a chocolate chip would probably not be the best food for them. There are hundreds of stars out there that a Harlequin will eat and some that are as small as a pencil head. Try feeding them whole stars but smaller ones like an asteria. If you have someone close by who is loaded with them, see what you can do to get some free ones.

As for water parameter keep an eye on iodine and all the normal stuff when it comes to a tank. Mine are paired up but I've yet to see them breed so no info there. Lighting is probably not too important just as long as there is some. Keep flow relatively slow as they are not the best swimmers. And you probably don't need a skimmer as long as you are religious about your water changes (and you should be even with a 29 g)

Good luck and here is my favorite pic of mine-

Sculp1n

 

[satjosh]

awwe i love the pic hmm man is there a way without connecting the tanks together? lol cause i wanted it in a different location.... lol i might end up using a 2nd tank if i have too underneath it

 

[Pulp Fishin]

I agree with Sculp1n!

I try and feed mine as diverse a meal plan as possible.
I'm lucky enough to have my 135 loaded with astreas I can harvest and throw in my 60g pentagon with my harlequins.
Also if I see one of the small bristol stars within grasp they make nice treats, although I use those as apitisers for the real meals.
I've seen mine eat Fromia/linkia & chocolate chip stars that are full size. My bristol stars seem fine but I doubt that the harlequins can catch them...ever.

 

[satjosh]

what if i do these would this be ok for harlequin shrimp?
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1598810

and is protein skimmer needed?
refugium?

defefinitly will get light, heater, live rock and live sand (with return pump like the link above to work with the LR and LS).

 

[Sculp1n]

Well that set up can be used to house a refuguim. A skimmer... no, not if you don't want to. Just be on your game with water changes, you'll have to anyways.


Sculpin

 

[2_zoa]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14612148#post14612148 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by satjosh
Hmm yeah that was my idea but I was just afraid of them hiding and won't be able to see them I wanted to post this b/c I see ppl doing this wit a pico tank if that's wut it is called like 2 gallons and they feed on live choco stars so no acutal waste except for their waste. Any ideas? And of course 10% at least water change every week

The Harlequins do leave behind little pieces of the star. So there will be waste besides theirs.

Here you go friend, this is a good read.
http://www.chucksaddiction.com/harlequinshrimp.html