Harlequin Shrimp long term feeding strategy

alanbetiger · Aug 8, 2017

Short version. How many Asterinas do I need to feed a pair of shrimp to keep them alive?

I added two Harlequin shrimp in a 350 gallon display to control Asterinas. After about 4 months I can't find any more in the display. Awesome! However I love the look of these guys so would like to keep them long term.
I have two sumps and have been collecting them to feed. So my question is to anyone who has kept these long term.

shrimped · Aug 8, 2017

Yep I got one harlequin Shrimp and get 1 large chocolate chip star every 3-4 weeks for $5 at LFS. They are probably one of my favorite shrimp and is well worth feeding him.

alanbetiger · Aug 8, 2017

How long does it take for the chocolate chip star to die? Is it chowing down for 1-2 weeks and then starving for a few weeks until you but another one in? Or is it constantly eating and once you see the starfish is dead you purchase a new one?
Trying to equate that to Asterinas. Obviously they are much smaller so can't survive long with any damage, so know how long they can go without food would be nice to figure out.

shrimped · Aug 8, 2017

Mine eats the whole sea star not leaving a piece behind. It takes about 3-4 weeks to finish it. Once finished shrimp can go without food for even a month but not advised to do so. I get a new chocolate star for him latest a week after finished. They flip over the seastar so it doesn't move and stand on top of it to chow it down.