Harlequin Shrimp

[gcantu]

I know these guys love chocolate chip starfish and all, but I was wondering if any of you think they would take a liking to the small starfish that tend to wander around tanks? I have some in my tank that I would like to get rid of, but short of picking them out one at a time, I was wondering if I should take a chance and try to see if these guys can help.

[Ram_Puppy]

are you talking about asternea starfish?

I believe someone tried that once w/ mixed results.

[gcantu]

Honestly don't know what species, but they look like they are reproducing quite fast. They are the tiny stars that just tend to wander all over the place. They don't seem to be bothering my acros, but my zoas don't look too happy as they wander all over them.

[Ram_Puppy]

kind of a light beige w/ variable length arms and they always seem to be missing an arm, or have an odd number of them?

that would be asternia - most are benegin, but some asternia are coral predators according to garf info. i believe the ones that have spread around maast are harmless. (unless a new kind has been introduced)

[gcantu]

That could be them... I was thinking of purchasing two HS and placing them in there in hopes of them turning on the little buggers. I don't want to have to take my tank apart and cook the rock to kill them off. Although I doubt they will go away. I am sure they will just bury themselves in the sand and reproduce even more.

[Bill S]

I had a problem with them. Systematically, I've removed them from my 55. I just took a flashlight every morning and evening, and stabbed them with a stick & needle. I probably pulled 200 out over the months. Now I see just 1 or 2 a week.

[Ram_Puppy]

well, I am no harlequin expert, but if i remember right, whoever it was that tried it could not get them to take to the starfish immediately, it took some starving.

my understanding is that harlequins only eat tube feet. so they will eviscerate those little guys, and leave the rest to rot.

[apedroza]

Harlequin will eat them if there is nothing left to eat. I had 2 beautiful ones that I use to feed once every 2 weeks. In between they would regularly eat the small ones wandering around the tank. My small tank use to be full of them, but was empty when I got rid of the shrimp. And they do eat the entire starfish not just the tube feet. They are actually really amazing to watch.

[gcantu]

Well thanks fellas, I guess I'll try both methods and see which works best. Although I'm sure I will hate to have to go spear fishing in my 65 until I eradicate them...
Thanks again,
George

[gcantu]

What about serpent stars? Will they go after them too? If they do I might need to move mine into the sump.

[apedroza]

Yes they will definitely go after the serpent star.

[Ram_Puppy]

any echinoderm I beleive.