SeafanEmergencies

Shrimp

Harlequin shrimp

Hymenocera picta

Avoid in most reef tanks

Group
Shrimp
Care level
Advanced
With corals
Reef safe with caution

What does the harlequin shrimp do in a reef tank?

Starfish only typical, check

With corals: Corals yes, starfish no

How many should you keep?

One US gallon is 3.785 litres and one UK gallon is 4.546 litres, so a "per gallon" rule depends on whose gallon it means.

What can go wrong?

Must be fed live starfish; ethics and supply problem

Which tankmates are risky?

Fish

Fish that may eat or harass it.

Avoid together (7)

  • Royal dottybackRoyal dottyback eats ornamental shrimp such as the harlequin shrimp.
  • Neon dottybackNeon dottyback eats ornamental shrimp such as the harlequin shrimp.
  • Yellow coris wrasseYellow coris wrasse eats ornamental shrimp such as the harlequin shrimp.
  • Melanurus wrasseMelanurus wrasse eats ornamental shrimp such as the harlequin shrimp.
  • Flame hawkfishFlame hawkfish eats ornamental shrimp such as the harlequin shrimp.
  • Longnose hawkfishLongnose hawkfish eats ornamental shrimp such as the harlequin shrimp.
  • Falco hawkfishFalco hawkfish eats ornamental shrimp such as the harlequin shrimp.

Take care (8)

  • Yellow watchman gobyYellow watchman goby may eat very small shrimp; adult harlequin shrimps are usually safe.
  • Orange spotted gobyOrange spotted goby may eat very small shrimp; adult harlequin shrimps are usually safe.
  • Orchid dottybackOrchid dottyback may eat very small shrimp; adult harlequin shrimps are usually safe.
  • Magenta dottybackMagenta dottyback may eat very small shrimp; adult harlequin shrimps are usually safe.
  • Pyjama cardinalfishPyjama cardinalfish may eat very small shrimp; adult harlequin shrimps are usually safe.
  • Six line wrasseSix line wrasse may eat very small shrimp; adult harlequin shrimps are usually safe.
  • Leopard wrasseLeopard wrasse may eat very small shrimp; adult harlequin shrimps are usually safe.
  • Yellow assessorYellow assessor may eat very small shrimp; adult harlequin shrimps are usually safe.

Other invertebrates

Invertebrates it may harm, or that may harm it.

Avoid together (3)

These checks follow the reasons fish and invertebrates clash: same species or genus, similar shape, mouth size, temperament, food, burrows, tank size and the order they are added. Individual animals differ; every source agrees on that.

Sources

  1. Journal of Threatened Taxa 2013 note: harlequin shrimp feeding on LinckiaRead 21 October 2026, search summary only.

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