Harlequin and bumblebee shrimp compatibility

[Anonymous]

This is a long shot, but I'm curious if anyone is keeping Harlequin (Hymenocera) and Bumblebee (Gnathophyllium) shrimp together. They both eat tube feet of starfish, so I figured why not throw them in together. I'm just worried there might be fighting.

 

[Anonymous]

Interesting thought Matt, I've never kept either due to the dietary requirements.

 

[Juck]

Don't bumblebees eat other stufff as well?

 

[Anonymous]

Apparently they do. I was planning on feeding both Asterina stars, and if the bumblebees eat other stuff as well, all the better.

 

[Juck]

As long as the other stuff isn't Harlequin Shrimp.

 

[Anonymous]

I was more concerned about the opposite--the harlequins attacking the bumblebees because they share a food source. The bumblebees stay very small.

 

[supergiantrobot]

Do you have enough starfish to feed your harlequin? Were you planning on buying some to feed it? If so, from what source?

And what about the needs for iodine?

 

[Anonymous]

Bees are really aggressive for their size. Mine would keep my sexy shrimp at bay every time I fed the tank! Only when they'd grabbed their hunk of thawed Prime Reef, then they'd back down and let the sexies get a little food. :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

Do you have enough starfish to feed your harlequin? Were you planning on buying some to feed it? If so, from what source?

And what about the needs for iodine?

Hopefully. Planning on feeding Asterinas from friend's tanks.

Iodine? Never had any issues with it. I just do small regular water changes and shrimp have always molted just fine.

 

[supergiantrobot]

Thanks to Wade, I have had a small supply of asterinas to feed my harlequin shrimp. After adding a bunch in the main tank, I saved the rest in my 'fuge and now feed the shrimp a star once or twice a week. He goes crazy when I drop it in, and I can often get it close enough to watch him grab it within a minute.

I am going to attach a (very) fuzzy picture of my feeding the shrimp today. The red circle is the small star. Sorry for the quality. I took it in a hurry and the camera isn't that great.

As soon as he grabs the star, the shrimp runs off to eat it.

I would like more asterinas, both to populate and to feed. I think I emptied Wade farm, so I need more.

 

[Anonymous]

Well I just got a beautiful pair of harlequins today--finally, and they both are eating Asterina stars. Yay!

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Pics Matt?

 

[Anonymous]

Do the harlequins hide a lot, or are they out in the open? I'd like to get a pair for the 30g reef if I end up not getting a wrasse of some sort for my fish.

Peace,

Chip

 

[supergiantrobot]

My harlequin likes to stay in a cave -- hiding in plain sight. I see him way more than the serpent star. But I do think they like the security of a place out of the way.

 

[Anonymous]

Okay, that answers my question. Thanks!

Peace,

Chip

 

[Anonymous]

Ditto what robot said so far. They're in the dark under a ledge but certainly not hiding.