Harlequin Shrimp
- Thread starter KyleC.
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Sea MunnKey
Valuable Member
From my previous experiences with Harlequin shrimps, asterina stars aren't their preferred choice of food. Chocolate chip or larger starfish are their favourite choice.
Sea MunnKey
Valuable Member
Double posts ... sorry. Computer didn't show my comment prior
JaimeAdams
2500 Club Member
I always thought the starfish were fine until I had first hand experience with them eating coral. Doubt anyone is going to loan you their Harlequin though. Bubble bee shrimp have been reported to eat the starfish as well and they will eat other things and not i.e. once their sole food source is gone.
Sea MunnKey
Valuable Member
What I did with asterina stars problem ... manually catch them with fish nets while they're attached to the glass. It works for me ... 
Sea MunnKey
Valuable Member
My pair would consume one starfish in less than a week!!!
OP
OP
KyleC.
Active Member
Sea Munn...I understand they may not be there preferred choice, and will keep there choice cuisine in the sump, to feed when needed. Have been manually removing everyone (star) I catch red-handed, but it feels like I haven’t made a dent, and they won’t leave the dam things alone lol... Really need to restart/start another tank with dead rock...
JaimeAdams
2500 Club Member
I know where there was a 220
Sea MunnKey
Valuable Member
Don't give up my friend. My tank is a 90 gallon and not sure what's yours? It'll take a little while but it does work. Eradicate them so they have no chance of reproducing.
How many zoas do you have? Another option would be to remove the zoas to a smaller tank. And put the zoas on a rotating freshwater dip schedule. Only the zoas i wouldnt do this with any hard corals, those use a proper dip if its eating those. But say once a week. See if the population lowers.
Hopefully your sea stars are not generalists. If they are this wont help at all.
Hopefully your sea stars are not generalists. If they are this wont help at all.
Sea MunnKey
Valuable Member
I had a small 5 gallon tank that was placed right next to my 90 gallon with the help of a small powerhead pump pushing water into the 5 gallon & exiting via a drilled opening to the main display. It was the only way I could see those shrimps.
OP
OP
KyleC.
Active Member
40b. Not large, but, I’ve been pulling everyone I see, and have yet to notice a decline in the population. I’ll keep on plucking, and hope for the best. Thanks main!
OP
OP
KyleC.
Active Member
Not going to count the heads. My build thread has a picture. Don’t know how to link it... I’ve had most of my coral for a while now, with no issues. I like the FW dip idea, and also like the style of a natural predator, and the looks of a harlequin.
