Harlequin Shrimp (Hymenocera picta)
The Harlequin Shrimp is a striking, blue-and-white patterned shrimp known for its highly specialized diet. It feeds almost exclusively on starfish and can help remove abundant growths of Asterina starfish from an aquarium.
Characteristics
- Striking blue and white pattern
- Peaceful towards other aquarium inhabitants
- Eats Asterina starfish
- Can be kept alone or in pairs
- Highly specialized diet
Care Instructions
Minimum aquarium size: approx. 40 L
Temperature: 24–26 °C
Salinity: 1.024–1.026
Feeding: Starfish. Once the Asterina population is depleted, other starfish or parts thereof must be offered regularly as food.
Compatibility: Not with predatory fish or shrimp-eating fish.
Reef safe: Reef safe for corals, but preys on starfish.
Additional Information
Scientific name: Hymenocera picta
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Difficulty level: Medium – due to specialized diet