Favorite Invert

[gogregerson]

Just got this great shot of my favorite little Harlequin Shrimp. Keep in mind it's about 1/2" so this is not an easy pic to get.
http://www.tcmas.org/forums/imagehosting/12477b1046e39b6.jpg

[twincitiesreefer]

nice are u feeding him choclate chips?

[gogregerson]

No, he's got an all-you-can-eat buffet of little blue star fish. I have yet to see him with out one in his pinchers.

[twincitiesreefer]

nice,ive wanted one for a while now

[this1fish]

pistol shrimps are my favorite!

[lottie_pufferfish]

No, he's got an all-you-can-eat buffet of little blue star fish. I have yet to see him with out one in his pinchers.

What are the little blue starfish

[wes]

What are the little blue starfish

second this, I'd love couple if they're reef safe. I could farm 'um back to ya when your stocks get low...

[gogregerson]

They are "Asterina anomala" starfish. Trust me you don't want them! These little guys don't get any bigger then a 1/4" but multiply extremely fast by fission (splitting). They have been known to eat both softies and hard corals(depending on the strain of starfish). I personally have not noticed this but have noticed them eating or at least killing my coralline algae. Now, this in it self wouldn't be a bad thing but these little guys quickly reach plague proportions and I fear they will run out of coralline and get a taste for Acro! Bottom line it's time to get rid of the little guys. I'm starting to think I may need another shrimp or two, I've got a 150gal reef tank with about 250lbs of live rock for them to hunt!

[spsick]

That's weird that they're blue in your tank, mine are just kinda beige/sand colored. I just keep them in check by pulling every one I see.

[blennieluvr]

Tagging along here. I have been trying to decide which type of shrimp I want to add to my 75 softie tank. I like the pistol shrimp but then can't have other types, right? I'd like to get a couple that are out in view AND have good janitorial traits. It doesn't seem like that's possible. So maybe just go with the pistol shrimp and others do the clean up?

Also, wanting more CUC. All I have now are 2 blue legs (one of which may go soon...it's getting largish) and maybe 5 astrea snails. I'm thinking of 5 nass snails, 1 emerald crab, 5 nerites, 5 ceriths and 1- 2 shrimp. Sound OK?

[PLNelson]

Go for Sexy Shrimp. They are always out in view and are fun to watch.

[hypertech]

I agree that harlequin shrimp are one of the most interesting creatures around.

They would not be a good choice for your CUC since they have a very specialized diet. A cleaner shrimp would be my first choice for a shrimp that stays out and about and is interesting to watch. Mine is always running around out in the open. I'm very happy with that purchase.

Since I don't have a harlequin, my favorite invert is a tie between the pom pom crab and the fromia star.

http://www.mattkristi.com/images/tank/pom%20pom%20eggs.JPG
http://www.mattkristi.com/images/tank/pom%20pom%20eggs.JPG

http://www.mattkristi.com/images/tank/DSC02592%20(Small).JPG

[lottie_pufferfish]

How long have you had your Fomia?

[hypertech]

I should have written down exactly when I got him. Around 6 months I think.

[lottie_pufferfish]

O.
gogregerson, can you post a picture of those blue starfish. it would be interesting to see what they look like.

[gogregerson]

Harliquin shrimp food :)

http://www.tcmas.org/forums/imagehosting/12477d582047f25.jpg

Hey, what can I say? I had to use something as a point of reference for the size. lol

[kpete4]

That's one big penny

[mattb]

Those harlequin are amazing.....

[KPAX]

How much does harelquin go for? I have these little blue star fish and they suck. Would the Harelquin eat other inverts that I wouldn't want him to?

[gogregerson]

They chow down exclusively on starfish. Mine has not touched my brittle stars yet, it may be because my Brittles are 12" monsters and the Harlequin is only1/2"-1".

[hypertech]

Glen-

Is that one from teh blue zoo order picked up at OD? If so, I'm glad he made it - I was a little worried he was kinda small.

[gogregerson]

That's the one! He's molted twice now and is twice the size as when I got him. I'm sure it has something to do with the all you can eat buffet.