How often do you see your harlequin shrimp?

Tom@HaslettMI · Mar 1, 2014

Added one to me 75 gallon reef to clear out the asterina starfish a few weeks ago. I have only seen it once. I'm confident that it's still alive. But wondering if it will always be this secretive.

Thanks,
Tom

mfinn · Mar 1, 2014

I put one in my 240, about 4-5 months ago.
I saw it once at about the 2 month mark, and then again last weekend.

Daniel@R2R · Mar 1, 2014

I'm glad to find this thread. I added one to my 180. I saw him 2 days later, but haven't seen him since. I added him for the same reason...asterina stars. I figure when I don't see anymore of them, it will be time to get a chocolate chip. :)

mfinn · Mar 2, 2014

mdbannister said:
...asterina stars. I figure when I don't see anymore of them, it will be time to get a chocolate chip. :)

My plan as well.
What I haven't figured out is, once I have determined that the shrimp needs me to feed it, where do I put the star fish ( leg) in the tank? It's a 6' long tank.
Will he just smell it in the water?
Also, what about the other fish in the tank? Will they go after the starfish leg?

JReefaddict · Mar 2, 2014

They will find the starfish leg. I have asterinas growing in my 180 and I pick a handful out and toss them in my other tank with him. He normally will start marching back and forth in the front by the glass when he's hungry. I haven't seen mine in a few months

Tradewinds · Mar 2, 2014

I added one to my 180 a month ago and have only seen it once since it moved from it's original spot.

I hope I will be able to find it once the asterina population has been eradicated.

JReefaddict · Mar 2, 2014

Have you tried looking at night? I find mine to be mainly nocturnal and only comes out during the day when he wants more food

Tom@HaslettMI · Mar 2, 2014

JReefaddict said:
Have you tried looking at night? I find mine to be mainly nocturnal and only comes out during the day when he wants more food

I have not. Thanks for the tip!

Tom@HaslettMI · Mar 2, 2014

I took a flashlight to the tank this afternoon and searched the inner crevices of the rock work. The result... I found the harlequin's lair! So, until it decides to move I can now see it whenever I want.

Tom

JReefaddict · Mar 2, 2014

If only I could find mines new lair now hahah

mOnsterzOas26 · Mar 2, 2014

I see my pair every day , very active for me , maybe cause their in a 20 gallon lol ha ha ...here's a pic their wrestling for a cc starfish leg so funny ..

youngtimothy · Mar 3, 2014

I had two in a 100 gal. Saw them only when they were hungry. I fed them a whole CC star at a time. It was amazing watching them flip it over and take it behind the rock work.

mOnsterzOas26 · Mar 3, 2014

youngtimothy said:
I had two in a 100 gal. Saw them only when they were hungry. I fed them a whole CC star at a time. It was amazing watching them flip it over and take it behind the rock work.