Thinking about Harlequin Shrimp...

[GreatDane_Dude]

I was scrolling through the forums and even though I don't have star fish problems... I really like Harlequin Shrimp. So I need some advice on compatibility and diet and care and everything else.

 

[User 28262454]

Remember they will *only* eat starfish, so unless you are frequently feeding them stars they probably won’t survive.

 

[GreatDane_Dude]

Do LFS just sell you feeder stars?

 

[User 28262454]

Should clarify I havent kept them personally, but was also interested in them like yourself. Heard somewhere about cutting an arm off a star and feeding, but probably best if someone who has actually kept them before gives some advice on what they did.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Linckia spp. (multifora and laevigata) are the preferred diet, but they'll do fine on Chocolate Chip stars too (they've spawned on CC star diets, so it's not a bad diet for them at all). Some people use sand sifting stars, but I don't know how they stack up nutritionally. Most people just cut a leg off every few days for the shrimp - but you can offer one ~3cm piece of starfish per shrimp per day too. Some people toss the whole starfish in - the shrimp will keep it alive for a few weeks before fully consuming it.

If you use the 3cm method (which is more complicated) let them eat as much as they want and add more the next day after they've finished the previous feed off. Repeat the process if they've finished the food. If they don't finish the food within two days, I'd pull the uneaten food and replace it with new food. The shrimp studied spawned on this regimen too.

 

[Clownreef]

I had a breeding pair. They’re beautiful. I would feed a chocolate chip star every week. They lasted for a few years. When they’re hungry you’ll see them walk around the tank.

 

[GreatDane_Dude]

Thanks for the advice but, where can I buy Chocolate Chip Star Fish.

 

[BanjoBandito]

Yeah get your food supply lined up before you get them, they’ll blow through asterinas fast. I’ve seen people raise “feeders” by getting 4-5 choc chips and just cutting limbs weekly and letting the starfish heal. It’s insanely brutal but I guess they look cool????

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

If your LFS doesn't carry them, you can order them online from pretty much anywhere for ~$15 or less (before shipping and taxes).

 

[GreatDane_Dude]

Do they usually survive shipping?

 

[Clownreef]

Do they usually survive shipping?

Choc chip are pretty much bullet proof

 

[GreatDane_Dude]

Cool and funny!

 

[Chrisv.]

$15 a week for several years is a pretty substantial commitment. Make sure you're ready for that, or have an alternative lined up. I'm always envious of the people who live in costal areas that have a lot of sea stars. Free legs for food.

 

[GreatDane_Dude]

Thanks for the help.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

I have one dealing with a asterina infestation, but right now it never leaves its "spot", I would not keep one if not for the asterina's, I dont like the idea of cutting up starfish to keep this shrimp, I won't do that so it will go back to LFS when it runs out of food. Its not that cool, yes it looks amazing but I never see it, it's usually hiding most of the time. Every time I do see it, it has a starfish in its grasp.. so they are great for asterina control for me.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

@thatmanMIKEson where did u get yours. I need one for some asterina.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

@thatmanMIKEson where did u get yours. I need one for some asterina.

I got it locally from a store called coral corral in Tampa fl

 

[vetteguy53081]

I was scrolling through the forums and even though I don't have star fish problems... I really like Harlequin Shrimp. So I need some advice on compatibility and diet and care and everything else.

After asterinas, popular next meal is chocolate chip starfish. Make sure to acclimate very well. A pair works well as they will team up and flip a larger star over for a meal

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

So deep in the rock its usually a small glimpse of him, it almost never comes out, that I see, but sometimes it will be out and the colors are amazing.

 

[damsels are not mean]

Thanks for the advice but, where can I buy Chocolate Chip Star Fish.

Most stores have em cheap. Otherwise online.