Asterinas and Harlequin Shrimp

USMA36 · Aug 27, 2020

I have a strange question. My 90 gallon is over run with Asterinas I have hundreds of them. I was finally able to get to Harlequin shrimp. They have been out of stock forever. Anyway. Almost immediately after adding the 2 shrimp my Asterinas are flocking to the glass like never before. Usually at night I'll have 5 or 6 on the glass. Last night I had well over 100. Never before has that happened. Is this just a coincidence?

MERKEY · Aug 27, 2020

I like to think they know they are being hunted!

All mine did the same when I added my pair.

Now when I add a chocolate star or sand sifting star our male almost immediately can sense/smell them and starts hunting for them. The female waits and the male beings the star back to her to share. When the star is almost gone she gives him 1 leg and finishes the rest of the body. He never leaves her side and follows her everywhere. He is the one who goes after fish when they come near or goes after my hand if its in the tank.

Its really a cute relationship they have

Enjoy yours!

Waynerock · Aug 27, 2020

USMA36 said:
I have a strange question. My 90 gallon is over run with Asterinas I have hundreds of them. I was finally able to get to Harlequin shrimp. They have been out of stock forever. Anyway. Almost immediately after adding the 2 shrimp my Asterinas are flocking to the glass like never before. Usually at night I'll have 5 or 6 on the glass. Last night I had well over 100. Never before has that happened. Is this just a coincidence?

Nope not a coincidence the shrimp are expert hunters and the screams of the half eaten asterinas are making the others run to escape. Kind of like Friday the 13th when the campers are running from Jason. And like them the star fish have no escape, they can run all they like but Jason is coming and can’t be stopped! Sit back and enjoy the show the harlequin are cool to watch

USMA36 · Aug 27, 2020

That's awesome. Now I hope they're too big for my Marine beta. I held off buying the shrimp because they're expensive and I was worried the Betta would eat them. I am getting over run and had to risk it. I have no chance of catching the beta.

Flux Capacitor · Aug 27, 2020

Same thing happened to me when I got one. I had him quite a long time, he passed a little over a year ago. They are great hunters and fun to watch!

USMA36 · Aug 27, 2020

It's really amazing to see the Asterinas running for their lives. I have never seen anything like that I'm gonna try and large feed the beta big hunks of meat. Hoping I can keep him fat and happy without him hunting my Harlequin shrimp.

lilkiwi930 · Aug 27, 2020

When I had my Harlequin shrimps the asterinas did the same thing. I think they knew they were being hunted.

Thespammailaccount · Aug 27, 2020

Love them I have two pair

Waynerock · Aug 27, 2020

Thespammailaccount said:
Love them I have two pair

I have been watching your baby trials and it’s a really cool read! Thanks for sharing that I hope you get some to live and grow next time. I was pulling for you on the last batch.

EvanDeVita · Jan 8, 2021

MERKEY said:
I like to think they know they are being hunted!

All mine did the same when I added my pair.

Now when I add a chocolate star or sand sifting star our male almost immediately can sense/smell them and starts hunting for them. The female waits and the male beings the star back to her to share. When the star is almost gone she gives him 1 leg and finishes the rest of the body. He never leaves her side and follows her everywhere. He is the one who goes after fish when they come near or goes after my hand if its in the tank.

Its really a cute relationship they have

Enjoy yours!

Wait will harlequin shrimp eat sand sifting sea stars? Or did you mean sand sifting sea stars eat Asterina starfish?