Let's talk about Harlequin shrimp

CCritters sells Asterias forbesii for $4.00 a piece. I'm going to have a spare 180 gallon up and running connected to my main display tank. Could I buy say... 12 of these and cut the legs or do these not regenerate quick enough?

At $4.00 a piece, they're rather cheap, but the shipping could be expensive. So I figured buy bulk, rotate cutting legs, and hopefully they'll live awhile.

Anyone? It is of the Asterias breed, I don't think it would be an issue. Not sure if they'd regenerate quick enough though.
 
how big are the stars u bought for $4? but no they probably wouldnt regenerate fast enough unless in the right tank and that hard to do.
 
How long does it typically take for 2 harleys to pair up? I know there will be many variables but just looking for general input.

I've had mine for a few months, and while they're not sparring with each other, they don't hang out in the same spot constantly. Usually they're content on their own.
 
r u sure u have a male and a female? the other question would be are they the same type (color)? lastly r they similar size?
 
r u sure u have a male and a female? the other question would be are they the same type (color)? lastly r they similar size?

I'm not sure how to tell if they're male or female, but they don't act aggressively toward each other. They are the same color and color pattern, so I think they're the same type. Also, they're almost the exact same size.
 
ok here we go....HARLEQUIN SHRIMP SEXING 101
THEY ARE 3 WAYS TO SEX A HARLEQUIN SHRIMP...

1.first off the female is normal larger than the male over all

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28264068@N08/4354098454/" title="harlequinsexing by gkslacker, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4354098454_5b8dda5996_o.jpg" width="350" height="263" alt="harlequinsexing" /></a>

2.the next major difference is in deffensive claws (large fan looking claws):

the females are much larger larger than the males
FEMALE
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28264068@N08/4353350325/" title="maleharlequin by gkslacker, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4353350325_39dd13734c_o.jpg" width="450" height="338" alt="maleharlequin" /></a>

MALE
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28264068@N08/4353350223/" title="femaleharlequin by gkslacker, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4353350223_198c295a35_o.jpg" width="450" height="338" alt="femaleharlequin" /></a>

3. lastly the easiest and more accurate way is to look at swimmerets underneither the abdomen:

the female has spotted swimmerets...while the male has clear, sometimes almost yellowish swimmerets.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28264068@N08/4354098480/" title="harlequinsexing1 by gkslacker, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4354098480_9193eb1baf_o.jpg" width="250" height="333" alt="harlequinsexing1" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28264068@N08/4353350285/" title="harlequinsexing2 by gkslacker, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2741/4353350285_42c954b5c0_o.jpg" width="250" height="333" alt="harlequinsexing2" /></a>

***if anyone whats more info after this either hit me up or go here http://www.chucksaddiction.com/harlequinshrimp.html
 
GOT BAD NEWS!!!!!!

lost my large female harley the other day. ive had her for almost 3 years so it was comming to that time anyways but it just sucks.

on the bright side i guess is i have a little male still, that needs a mate so thats my new project.... finding him a honey! lol
 
Do these eat subclass Ophioderma?

brittle/serpent stars... NO they are to fast and the harlequin has a chance of becomming hurt or meal. as for micro brittle stars i have a bunch in the same tank as my harley and have never seen her eat one.

on the same not i what not suggest feeding sand stars.

and lastly unchin are a no too.
 
Does anyone have a mated pair of mixed colors-a blue harley with a pink? I read that they might just be a color variant of the same species. I was wondering what the young would look like. Either color or a mix of pink and blue splotches. Wow! I just found this...purple? and maroon and orange. I can't believe they actually have mixed colors.
harlequinshripbymaynard.jpg

My pink has a deep purplish blue on the lowest portion of his legs and then the darker blue above that. I understand the blue instead of clear on the legs means a female. The underside looks white though with two small yellow swimmerettes which means male as the females have the colored spots. It has large claws and is huge, again a sign of being a female...mine's what? Undecided? I just read max size is 2". Mine is 3/4" between the widest point of its claws and that's just its width. The length is almost 1 1/2" long! I just measured him/her when it was up against the glass. It's out and about all the time, except when asleep. He even drags the sea star arm to a hole in the rock and sits there like a cat in his tree hanging with his claws out the hole while eating.

http://www.chucksaddiction.com/harlequinshrimp.html
 
Not the greatest of shots, but here is one of my female dragging dinner back to her cave.

IMG_0163.jpg


I was able to find a male this week to keep her company :)
 
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