Harlequin Shrimp

adroitmind

adroitmind

Member
I am wondering if anyone has any experience with keeping Harlequin Shrimp. I know all about the starfish only diet and things like that. What i really want to know is how hardy are they, and are they shy or do they stay out in full view while eating. I have a 75 gal and don't want to buy them if the starfish will just hide under a rock then the shrimp go there too to eat them and i wont ever see them. The LFS has them in a very small tank so they can't hide. I also have a spare 10 gal laying around i could make into a tank just for them, or use as a starfish holding tank. :help:
 
d0 thy d3w

d0 thy d3w

Member
if i read ur thread correctly..all they eat is stars??? why would u want 1?? i imagine feeding starsfich to a shrimp could get expensive!! not to mention mean
 
adroitmind

adroitmind

Member
Yes all they eat are starfish. To be more precise they eat only the tube feet off of live starfish. My LFS store can get me damaged starfish at great prices so feeding cost is no problem. I just want to be able to see them chase the starfish arround. I watched them at the store for abut 15 minutes and the starfish really gave a good chase. I think harlequin shrimp are one of the most interesting creatures in the ocean, and they are quite beautiful.
Come on people i know i am not the first one to think about getting some.
P.S. everyone can spare me the "its mean", "inhumane", "cruel" lines. It's nature!
 
adroitmind

adroitmind

Member
Yeah i know what you mean. I guess when a brittle star is getting munched on by two little white and purple shrimp it kicks itself into high gear. I've never seen one move so fast.
 
d0 thy d3w

d0 thy d3w

Member
i just looked up the harlequin..while it is pretty stunning in appearance, i just dont have the heart or the $$ to keep one...maybe a sexy shrimp will do for me!
 
ophiura

ophiura

Active Member
Actually, why pay? Just raise Asterina stars in a sump or refugium and it won't cost anything.
 
adroitmind

adroitmind

Member
Yeah i have looked at sexy shrimp too. I will most likely go with some of those because thy are not such specialized feeders. Right now i have one big mean

[hr]
of a coral banded shrimp in my tank. He's developed a taste for hermit crabs so i am testing his disposition to other shrimp with a pepperment right now. If the peppermint stays alive for a few months then i will make the decision about other decorative shrimp.
 
d0 thy d3w

d0 thy d3w

Member
Originally Posted by ophiura
Actually, why pay? Just raise Asterina stars in a sump or refugium and it won't cost anything.
yeah u could do that..but i already have an animal that eats other living organisms..(6foot red tail boa)....i dotn need any more animals coming into my house and not living thru it...or id have to name it...."The House Of No Return"
 
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