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)
- Sand sifting starfishHarlequin shrimp eat starfish.
- Asterina starfishHarlequin shrimp eat starfish.
- Blue Linckia starfishHarlequin shrimp eat starfish.
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
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