Harlequin Shrimp (Hymenocera elegans)

[Almondsaz]

I was wondering if harlequin shrimp would eat asternia starfish. I have a 125 with a 35 gallon sump and lots of asternia starfish. I pick them out, but was wondering if the harlequin was a natural predator for the asternia and therefor would save me from having to manually pick them out.

[Fish_wiz2]

yep, but once they clean you out (happens quickly) you will need to find and feed them food and it could get pricey as stars (usually bought as large) are not cheap

[reefrf]

I have a question relating to this as well. Will the Harlequin kill & eat Serpant & brittle stars no matter the size??

[Tylt33]

Harlequin will eat just about any size starfish. They eat the tube feet off of them, so a starfish with a 5" diameter will last about a week. Asterina stars won't last you long at all.