Harlequin Shrimp Owners HELP!

[Hungriee]

I once owned a harlequin shrimp but died from starvation after eating one whole CC starfish when I got back from vacation. I plan on getting another one to give it a shot, but not sure how many reefers keep them.

I dont have a good supply of Asterinas in my tank so I'll have to start with one CC starfish and try to grow some sort of starfish for the shrimp to feed on, in a separate tank. What kind of stars can I buy to propagate, since chocolate chip stars are hard to cut and can get expensive every month?

 

[DrCooper]

I have a harley and I get a choco once a month. I am trying to do the "one leg at a time" again because last time i felt bad and just tossed him in and let my harley have his way.
Its simple, you be fine this time

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Ummm Coop you don't feel bad cutting it's legs off?

 

[hijinks]

i could never get one of those.. my fiance would flip out.. she hated me putting live mysis shrimp in the tank for things to eat.

 

[DrCooper]

Ummm Coop you don't feel bad cutting it's legs off?

I sure do! I am still up in the air as if its best to cut a leg off or just toss him in at once!
what you think?
if my coworkers and clients knew this they would KILL ME

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

LOL Coop I was just breakin your chops. I used to throw them in full and not worry about it but I didn't have anything sharp enough to cut them.

 

[boozeman]

I toss one choco star every two weeks for my harley, she seems to be fine with that.

 

[DrCooper]

LOL Coop I was just breakin your chops. I used to throw them in full and not worry about it but I didn't have anything sharp enough to cut them.

haha i know, just feel bad for the poor stars. I have scalpel but it takes some pushing to cut!
I think i just toss this guy in, still debating.

My harley is a pig though, love him. he sees that star and ATTACK

 

[NYreefNoob]

my pair go through a cc in 2 weeks, i just put it in whole, funny though once a leg is taken off one will try and run and hide with it

 

[mcnuggget]

a lot of harleys die from starvation because either people got lazy or not realizing what they require.

 

[Dj Orion]

I just added a pair of harlies 2 days ago and have only seen them once. I put in a choc star and they havent gone after it at all. I have seen my astrea stars heading toward the glass, but no sign of the shrimp. I put my cc star in a floating breeder cup, in fear he will reak havok in my tank. I hope that they will come out soon so I can feed them this cc star before it dies.

 

[inkblue]

sweetSop has no probLems cutting up a starfiSh :dead1:

 

[michaelp]

How many choco's would you need in a fuge to feed a pair of harlequins? i.e. with the cut off a leg and let it regenerate method? (just a guess)

 

[DrCooper]

I just did it, tossed the entire poor choco in. Couldnt just let him hang all alone missing a limb. My Harley ATTACKED This thing. Unreal. Have a pic so try and post it!

 

[DrCooper]

attack

junky shot with phone !

 

[Awibrandy]

Hey guys/gals my tank is being over taken by Asterina Star Fish.yikes
I finally got my LN Hawk out of my reef and plan on purchasing a Harlequin Shrimp, but I am concerned that once it has eaten all of the asterinas I will be forced to feed it chocolate star fish.
I understand that others do this and NO I will not feel bad about feeding the CC to the Harley.:tongue1: What I am concerned with is the CC going after my corals before the Harley gets it. Am I being concerned with something that will Never happen?

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Awilda when those harleys are hungry the CC won't even have a chance to hit any corals before they get it.

 

[DrCooper]

Agree with Chief. That Choco doesnt even get to look at my corals because my harley just ATTACKS

 

[Awibrandy]

Thanks for the quick responce Brendan & Doc.. Time to go put in my order.

 

[MO~IDOL]

Hey guys/gals my tank is being over taken by Asterina Star Fish.yikes
I finally got my LN Hawk out of my reef and plan on purchasing a Harlequin Shrimp, but I am concerned that once it has eaten all of the asterinas I will be forced to feed it chocolate star fish.
I understand that others do this and NO I will not feel bad about feeding the CC to the Harley.:tongue1: What I am concerned with is the CC going after my corals before the Harley gets it. Am I being concerned with something that will Never happen?

Awi... cut a leg of the cc throw it back in the sump:sgrin: my only concern is not many LFS have them in stock when u need them. well as least in my area.