Harlequin Shrimp

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Distributed across the tropical Indo-Pacific, typically found in shallow coral reefs and rocky crevices close to starfish populations.

Taxonomy: Classified in the Hymenoceridae family. It features large, leaf-like flattened claws (chelipeds) and sensory antennal plates.

Social Behavior: Frequently lives in strictly monogamous pairs. These pairs work together to locate, capture, and flip over sea stars that are many times their size.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Creamy white or light tan body adorned with large pink, purple, or blue spots. Females are larger and have colored abdominal plates.

Tank Setup: A well-established tank of at least 15 gallons with stable conditions and plenty of live rock crevices where they can hide and feed is necessary.

Diet and Feeding: Obligate carnivore feeding exclusively on starfish. They consume the tube feet of live starfish. Many aquarists keep a supply of live stars to feed them.

Water Quality: Demands stable parameters: pH 8.1-8.4, specific gravity 1.023-1.025, temperature 22-28°C, and zero copper content which is highly toxic to them.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Completely reef safe and harmless to fish. Do not house with crustacean predators like wrasses, hawkfish, puffers, or triggerfish.

Aquarium Breeding: Spawning is common in established pairs. The female carries eggs under her tail. Rearing the planktonic larvae is extremely difficult for hobbyists.

Risks and Diseases: Starvation if starfish are not provided. They are highly sensitive to osmotic shock during acclimation and to any trace levels of copper.