Harlequin shrimps

[EyeReef]

Ive been having these asteria stars reproduce like roaches in my tank and Ive been controlling them by siphoning them out. I want to get rid of them once in for all. How many harlequin shrimps should I place in my 150 to control these guys. Thanks guys

 

[EyeReef]

I found a great article on these shrimps if anyone in the future need a quick reference
http://home2.pacific.net.ph/~sweetyummy42/harlequinshrimp.html

 

[DaveMorris]

I put two in my 135g for the same reason and they wiped it clean in about two weeks. And I mean clean. One of them has since gone on to that big reef tank in the sky, but my remaining Harlequin has not allowed the return of even one little white star since they ate them all. He also took about four days to devour a chocolate chip star that I put in there for him. It was about 1.5" arm to arm. He found it about 45 seconds after I put it in the tank and immediately flipped it over and starting macking down on it. He didn't stop until it was gone. I am sure he had some help from the snails, worms, and hermits, but man it was impressive to watch.

 

[EyeReef]

Ive heard some people raising the asteria stars on the side to help feed these shrimps. Ill prob raise them in my fuge.

 

[Ctimpson]

Anyone know where I can find them? I have been looking for 2 months now with no luck... Maybe I should just bite the bullet and order them from Marine Depot live...

 

[RIPreef]

Medusa in wla. On Pico.... had 3 last week

 

[EyeReef]

www.saltwaterfish.com
they have free shipping over 79

 

[reef_doug]

Mike... you could always rent them out when your done. A new biz adventure!

 

[Aquarium In Motion 1]

Anyone know where I can find them? I have been looking for 2 months now with no luck... Maybe I should just bite the bullet and order them from Marine Depot live...

Give me a call, I see them every week. Try us out at AIM Riverside. I can have some for you this weekend.

thanks Jason

 

[EyeReef]

Mike... you could always rent them out when your done. A new biz adventure!

hahaha want to be business partners?

 

[jlt23]

I'm thinking of getting a harlequin to take care of my plague of asterinas. Does anybody have experience keeping them with serpent stars. The link above says they are scared of them, but I don't want to risk loosing my bright red serpent.

 

[DaveMorris]

The two Harlequins that I had (now only one) never bothered my black serpent star. I have had both of them for at least 4 months with no problems.

 

[jlt23]

Still contemplating. Thanks for responding.

 

[EyeReef]

I learned the hard way, no wrasses in the tank with these shrimps

 

[jlt23]

Good thing I didn't pick one up. I have a sixline (which I hate) and a blue flasher.

 

[Photobret]

I have a mated pair and they are fine with my six line. I dont have an asterina problem but the ones I do have the Harlequins seem to ignore. Make sure once your asterina are gone to feed your Harlequins a starfish every other week.

 

[jlt23]

Thanks again for the responses. Still deciding if I should get one or just live with them. I don't have much coralline growing but where I do the asterinas are eating them. I saw some blue harlequins for $25 each at the LFS. Is that a good price?

 

[TheJedi]

Who in the OC has a steady supply of choco chip stars?

 

[jlt23]

I'm not sure if I want to say steady, but whenever I go to Pacific Reef in FV I usually see them. I was there Monday and he had at least 5 small (2"?) choco chip stars. I think they were $4.99 each.

 

[tripinpn01]

also looking to buy harlequins. anyone know where i can pick them up in the OC?