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Harlequin shrimp
- Thread starter Rjmul
- Start date
I want to get a harlequin! Just concerned I won’t be able to keep up with its need for starfish.
Subliminal
NJRC Member
Maybe it’s because my tank is so small and I am fallow for the moment, but my three shrimp are always out and about…
the emerald is kind of reclusive though.
the emerald is kind of reclusive though.
Do you have asterinas ? I was worried this shrimp would eat all of them in a week, because that's what the internet leads you to believe. Not so much. I still have a LOT of asterinas. 2 tanks and a sump I can bounce this guy around in. So far so good. It's been about three months, and he hasn't left the main tank
erics210
NJRC Member
Agree with Rjmul if you have an infestation you will be fine for a good while. The star fish to know however that the shrimp is in the tank. They often go up the glass so you can scrape em off the wall and collect them and hold for later more direct feedings or just remove if that the main reason for adding this beautiful shrimp. I had one prior and between pulling them manually off the glass before lights on and the shrimp diet were very thin population.
another thing you can do is get a chocolate chip star fish and chop off little sections of its legs and toss in another tank or sump. Usually I would get 10-15 feedings from it and then give the starfish away as the legs will regrow. Just not in my system as the shrimp outs get him
another thing you can do is get a chocolate chip star fish and chop off little sections of its legs and toss in another tank or sump. Usually I would get 10-15 feedings from it and then give the starfish away as the legs will regrow. Just not in my system as the shrimp outs get him
I am getting asterinas established in one of my tanks, I designed a scape to create sheltered areas to act as a starfish refuge/reactor to keep the population up.
Interesting...and great observation. I got a harlequin from the aquarium center in blackwood yesterday (they had them on sale for $35). This morning..all of my asterninas were really high on the glass. Ironically..i got the harlequin the address the asterina population...I cant find the harlequin shrimp...but I can see every last one of the asterninas and they are blocking my view.
Got mine from the same store. Same experience. The shrimp will seemingly disappear, but it's in there. Once a week I'll catch a peak of it at night time.
erics210
NJRC Member
He is still there then. I only have seen mine 2x. Still very small so not dumb at all. But consider using a tube and mesh net or mesh filter sock to suck them into a container to hold in case you need some later.
Finally saw the little bugger today. Munchin on an asterina.
Very happy to say that my asterina population has been dramatically reduced...not to zero but enough that i dont have the 'star pox' in my tank anymore. I even see the shrimp every now and then....rarely, but i do. So all of the cautionary tales that it will eat all of the asterina's in a matter of a week then starve to death sound a little hyperbolic.
I've found even with the shrimp it waxes and wanes. I've been having another boom in the population
momof6kids
NJRC Member
I thought mine was gone too, but caught a glimpse of him two nights ago. Asterina population is greatly reduced.