Shrimp, Snails, and Crabs
Harlequin Shrimp
Hymenocera picta
Photo: Chad Ordelheide · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Temperature24–27 °C
- pH8.1–8.4
- Adult size5 cm
- Difficulty★★★★☆
- TemperamentPeaceful
- WaterMarine
- Reef safeYes
Full profile
- Family
- Hymenoceridae
- Origin
- Indo-Pacific
- Size
- 4 – 5 cm
- Temperature
- 24 – 27°C
- pH
- 8.1 – 8.4
- Salinity
- 1.023 – 1.025
- Difficulty
- ★★★★☆
- Water type
- marine
- Behavior
- Pacific
- Diet
- Strict carnivore (eats only starfish)
- Reproduction
- pairs; planktonic larvae
- Reef Safe
- ✅ Yes
Notes: One of the most beautiful shrimp, white with purple spots. It feeds exclusively on starfish, so it requires a constant supply. Effective against Asterina starfish infestations.
