Harlequin won't eat Fromia...

[hyperfocal]

I picked up a Harlequin Shrimp a few months ago to control my tank's asterina problem (zoa eating variety). It's done a great job... too great, there's pretty much none left.

The shrimp is now out and about during the day a lot more, swimming from spot to spot foraging (even on the front glass). I added a red fromia star several weeks ago as food, but the Harlequin has ignored it.

Do Harlequins eat fromia? I was pretty sure they do -- maybe I have a fussy eater.

 

[philter4]

According to texts, harlequins eat all stars found in their habitat including crown of thorns. I have collected harlequins in Hawaii, and mine will eat atlantic stars and chocolate chip, even though they are not familiar with the species that I can get them regularly. I do find that they prefer different species, mine will drop any species they are feeding on if I put a linkia star in, so with that in mind maybe yours may not like fromia stars and you'll have to find a star species that it will eat.

 

[hyperfocal]

Thanks for the info, off to find sacrificial stars