Harlequin Shrimp and Melanarus

[thesoulpatch]

I have a melly and was wondering if I added the shrimp when the lights were on if he would attack it and try to eat it or should I just wait until lights are out and then add the shrimp?

The shrimp is about an inch big.

 

[Neoalchemist]

I know my melanarus would attack in daylight.
Please post your results because Im tired of asterina stars as well.

 

[andrewey]

I'd say it's a 50/50 chance the wrasse eats the shrimp, whether you put it in at night or during the day (although I would always advise introducing the shrimp while the wrasse is sleeping to give yourself slightly better odds). Unfortunately, there is no way to predict it- some people have melanarus that leave all their shrimp alone and others that attack all shrimp, including harlequin. I even had a melanarus that lived fantastically with a trio of very large cleaner shrimp for two years before deciding to systematically kill all three in under 24 hours. They are the classic "reef safe, with caution"- It's simply a risk you have to decide if you are or are not comfortable taking.

 

[Crustaceon]

FWIW, I had a melly with a coral banded shrimp with no issues.

 

[Dragon52]

I also have this combo & although I've only seen the shrimp twice I've noticed my asterina population has gone down considerably.

 

[evolved]

Adding them in the dark is the only way to go. But even then, it may be an expensive snack.

 

[bdare]

Just dropping in my experience... I have a very large melanarus. I've had a LARGE skunk cleaner for months. Zero problems.

I also have a ton of asterina starfish. Out of desperation I added 2 harlequins this week. So far so good. The wrasse hasn't paid them any attention.