Let's talk about Harlequin shrimp
- Thread starter E.intheC
- Start date
Calappidae
Harlequin Shrimp
Mine doesn't have any issues with crabs.
Infact, the shrimp terrorize and case my emerald crab whenever he comes near, they get very aggressive when threatened and hold their own surprisingly well.
Could be because the crab figured it was feeding time and the shrimp was disoriented from the environment change. I always feed before new additions.
Infact, the shrimp terrorize and case my emerald crab whenever he comes near, they get very aggressive when threatened and hold their own surprisingly well.
Could be because the crab figured it was feeding time and the shrimp was disoriented from the environment change. I always feed before new additions.
paul87
New member
Just put one in my tank to control/ destroy my star population, come back 5 minutes later and watch as my emerald crab eats the shrimp.
Man that's terrible to hear! Sorry about the loss. Maybe the shrimp died or was dying from some other factor and the crab seen it as an easy meal, or just cleaning up. I think everything in my tank is kind of scared of my harlequin. Even my wrasse and dottyback don't really go near it. LOL
paul87
New member
This seems pretty reasonable as well.
gotfrogs
Premium Member
I had this amazing pair for a few years. Their colors were crazy (yellow pink and purple) but are washed out in this photo.
I do want to warn people that these shrimp end up being expensive. I was paying $11 to $15 ever 2-4 weeks to keep them fed. Make sure you are willing and able to provide them with a secure food source before making a purchase.
I do want to warn people that these shrimp end up being expensive. I was paying $11 to $15 ever 2-4 weeks to keep them fed. Make sure you are willing and able to provide them with a secure food source before making a purchase.
Calappidae
Harlequin Shrimp
I had this amazing pair for a few years. Their colors were crazy (yellow pink and purple) but are washed out in this photo.
I do want to warn people that these shrimp end up being expensive. I was paying $11 to $15 ever 2-4 weeks to keep them fed. Make sure you are willing and able to provide them with a secure food source before making a purchase.
You are one lucky sir!
Those are actually hawaiian hymenocera picta. They're not very easy to get ahold of between their general rarity and hawaii's export/import laws.
paul87
New member
Very nice coloration gotfrogs! Splendid shrimp indeed. I have been feeding mine an arm/leg about every 3 days or so along with some lingering asterinas in my system. I am willing to pay for the choc chips to keep this beautiful specimen in my tank. Although an alternate food source would be an amazing discovery!
paul87
New member
Calappidae
Harlequin Shrimp
paul87
New member
Thank you! She is something else. Yea what happens in the caves, stays in the caves. lol
tonypittman
New member
Does yours do OK solo? I've read that they do great in pairs...but not a requirement?
Calappidae
Harlequin Shrimp
They do good in pairs. It's not a requirement but they split the food 50/50 so there isn't exactly a reason to only keep a single one.
I have a question for you all, I have a 12 gal jbj cube, It's cycled and now I'm thinking of what to stock it with. I wanna put zoos, mushrooms and some LPS. Will a pair of shrimp eating a whole cc star does the star foul up the water a lot? Do they eat the whole star or do you gotta remove the carcass
Calappidae
Harlequin Shrimp
They don't leave a carcass but they do leave white pebbles which can get annoying. If the starfish prematurely dies, then it may melt and foul the water. I had it happen once which resulted in a neverending algae bloom in a 10g. The tank was torn down eventually in frustration of keeping up with it. I suggest running a skimmer on any setup housing these shrimp.
paul87
New member
Mine seems to be doing very well living singly. Though who's to say she wouldn't be happier with a partner? If you could get a pair, I would probably go for it. My Harlequin was originally going to be a temporary member of the tank to wipe out the asterinas and then I was going to give it back, but I fel in love with it! I do kinda miss having living starfish in my DT, but the shrimp is cooler than any star IMO. Plus for a shrimp, you don't have to worry about them snatching food from coral during feeding. (unless you feed your coral starfish!)
paul87
New member
Yes! I have a small graveyard or white starfish nibbles! I clean them out with a net everynow and again. Skimmer is highly recommended.
accordsirh22
New member
the second part of this will NEVER happen. they are obligate starfish predators. they do not have and will not have any different food source. their biology mandates that they consume starfish. the same way that parasites that are specific to one host species cannot live on another species, even if it is similar.
all for captive breeding though, not sure about a breading program, they're a bit too small to eat, doubt there is enough meat on them
