Harlequin Shrimp (Hymenocera picta) – Cleanup Crew

The Painted Starfish Hunter

Arguably one of the most beautiful and ornate invertebrates in the ocean, the Harlequin Shrimp is a true living jewel. With a creamy white body adorned in a breathtaking mosaic of purple, pink, or blue spots, and unique, flattened claws that resemble flower petals, this shrimp is a work of art. They move with a deliberate, swaying grace and are almost always found in a devoted male-female pair, adding another layer of fascinating social behavior.

These shrimp are not just beautiful; they are captivating to watch. They are active and intelligent hunters, exploring their environment with purpose. Owning a pair of Harlequin Shrimp is like having a constantly evolving art exhibit in your aquarium. However, their stunning beauty is matched by their highly specialized nature, making them a rewarding challenge reserved for the most dedicated and prepared aquarists.

An Essential Note on Diet: For the Dedicated Aquarist

Before considering a purchase, it is critical to understand that the Harlequin Shrimp is anobligate predator of starfish.

• They eat ONLY starfish and will starve to death without them.They will not eat mysis shrimp, pellets, flakes, algae, or any other prepared foods. There are no exceptions.
• A consistent food source, such as a supply of live Chocolate Chip starfish or a culture of pestAsterinastarfish,must be secured before you acquire these shrimp.
• This is an expert-level animal solely due to this strict dietary requirement.

Why the Harlequin Shrimp is a Breathtaking Addition:

• Unparalleled Beauty:Their vibrant colors and ornate patterns are unmatched by almost any other shrimp in the hobby.
• Fascinating Predatory Behavior:Watching a pair work together to hunt and consume a starfish is a stunning, National Geographic-worthy display of natural behavior.
• Bonded Pairs:They form a true male-female bond and are one of the few invertebrates that can be kept as a dedicated pair.
• NaturalAsterinaControl:They are the ultimate solution for aquariums overrun with pestAsterinastarfish.

Care & Specifications

Success with Harlequin Shrimp is 100% dependent on meeting their dietary needs. Their water parameter and tank requirements are straightforward, but their food source is not.

Feeding: The Only Thing That Matters

• Diet:Starfish (Echinoderms).
• Primary Food Source:Most aquarists feed them live Chocolate Chip starfish (Protoreaster nodosus). A single starfish can sustain a pair for one to three weeks, depending on its size. The shrimp will consume the starfish’s tube feet first, keeping it alive for as long as possible.
• AsterinaStarfish:For smaller tanks or for those who don’t wish to feed larger stars, a separate, dedicated tank for culturing pestAsterinastarfish is a viable option.
• Frequency:A constant supply of food must be available. Do not wait for them to finish one starfish completely before having the next one ready.

Tank Requirements:

• Minimum Tank Size:10 Gallons for a pair. A dedicated species tank is highly recommended.
• Aquascape:Requires mature live rock with plenty of caves and crevices for hiding, especially during molting.

Water Parameters:

• Temperature:75−82°F (24−28°C)

• Specific Gravity:1.023−1.025

• pH:8.1−8.4

• Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate:As close to 0 ppm as possible.

• Iodine:Like all crustaceans, they benefit from iodine supplementation to aid in healthy molting.

Compatibility:

• Temperament:Peaceful towards fish and corals.
• Reef Safety:They are 100% safe with all corals. However, they will hunt and killALLdesirable echinoderms.Do not house them with ornamental starfish of any kind, including Serpent, Brittle, Linckia, or Sand-Sifting sea stars. They will also consume sea urchins if other food is scarce.
• Tank Mates:Keep with peaceful fish. Avoid aggressive predators like Triggerfish, Pufferfish, and large Wrasses that would prey on the shrimp.

Acclimation:IMPORTANT:Harlequin Shrimp are delicate. To ensure a smooth transition and prevent unnecessary stress,slow drip acclimation over a period of at least 60-90 minutes is mandatory.