Harlequin Shrimp Observations

[helmerbang]

I recently took in a Harlequin Shrimp for a friend. I noticed my asterina starfish losing limbs and dwindling. After a week or so, the shrimp started hanging out in full view. I was told they do this when they are hungry so I bought him a Chocolate Chip Star. He flipped it over and dragged it into the rock work in ten minutes at most. This was weeks ago.

Today he popped out, still munching on the last leg of the star. Awesome to see him keep the star alive until the last bit. Tried to get the best pics I could.

 

[saltyphish]

Some people keep a starfish alive in their sumps cutting off pieces to feed those shrimp once they have eaten the pest stars. I'm not sure I could do that though so no harlequin for me.

 

[helmerbang]

I hear that. If he had killed it and let it rot I would have started eviction procedures. My sensibilities wouldn't have allowed for butchering starfish lol. Since he figured it out on his own, I defer to the Lion King. Everyone gets to eat (but hyenas I guess).