harlequin shrimp

dallops_of_polyps

does anyone keep these? if so i give you a pat on the back! i want to have one in my tank but discovered that the only thing they eat is...... Starfish????? how can these shrimp only live off starfish? also how often do you feed them starfish?

SKAustin

Though I have not kept one, I do know that Chocolate Chip Sea Stars are commonly purchased as food for the Harlequin. Personally, I think they are one of the most attractive species of shrimp out there. Sadly, I dont think I would ever decide to try keeping one.

bobo

i remember reading somewhere that someone had a small quarantine tank with 10 starfish in it. he would cut the leg off one of the starfish each feeding time (think that was weekly) and drop it in the tank. by the time he reached the 10th starfish the first one would have grown its leg back.

SKAustin

That sounds like a pretty good system.

Twitch

Doesn't that hurt the starfish? I'm all for feeding whole prey or even live prey, but intentionally cutting off a starfish's leg?

gymnothorax

i'm sure it's not good for them, but they regenerate fairly easily