TankBud

Harlequin shrimp

Hymenocera picta

Also known as Clown Shrimp, Painted Shrimp, Painted Dancing Shrimp

SaltwaterShrimp

Harlequin shrimp (Hymenocera picta)
Nathalie Rodrigues · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
2 in
5 cm
Minimum tank
11 gal
40 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Rare
Reef safe
Reef safe with caution
Family
Gnathophyllidae
Origin
Indo-Pacific reefs (Hawaii to the Red Sea)

Overview

The harlequin shrimp is a peaceful reef shrimp that lives on a diet of starfish. It is best with a little experience.

Did you know

A well-fed pair of harlequin shrimp can work through two or three medium starfish a week. Many keepers end up culturing Asterina stars in a separate tank, just to keep the pantry stocked.

Caring for the harlequin shrimp

Give harlequin shrimp a tank of 11 gal (40 L) or more, with rockwork and caves where a pair can keep a den. Keep the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) with a pH of 8.1 to 8.4.

The harlequin shrimp eats live starfish almost exclusively, including small Asterina pest stars, chocolate chip stars and linckia stars. Keeping one means committing to a steady supply of feeder starfish, so you need to be willing to source them long term.

It is reef safe with corals and fish, since it has no interest in either. It is not a cleanup crew animal, and it does not suit a tank with a prized starfish in it. A single shrimp does fine on its own but will not breed.

Harlequin shrimp are best bought as an already bonded pair. Males run noticeably smaller than females. Breeding them is hard.

Good to know

The harlequin shrimp is one of only two species in the genus Hymenocera, in the family Gnathophyllidae. It is easy to recognize by its flattened, paddle-shaped claws and mottled purple and cream body. A bonded pair works together to flip a star onto its back and feeds on the tube feet first. That keeps the star alive and the meal fresh for days while they work through it. It is also known as the clown shrimp, painted shrimp or painted dancing shrimp.

In the wild

Harlequin shrimp live on coral rubble and reef flats throughout the Indo-Pacific, from Hawaii and French Polynesia through the Red Sea. They are usually found at depths of about 1 to 30 m. Pairs stay close to a den in the reef structure, near a steady supply of starfish.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The harlequin shrimp is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a harlequin shrimp need?

A harlequin shrimp needs at least 11 gal (40 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a harlequin shrimp need?

A harlequin shrimp is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

What does a harlequin shrimp eat?

A harlequin shrimp eats live starfish almost exclusively, such as Asterina pest stars, chocolate chip stars and linckia stars. You will need a steady supply of feeder starfish for the long term.

How big does a harlequin shrimp get?

An adult harlequin shrimp reaches about 2 in (5 cm).

How can you tell a male harlequin shrimp from a female?

Male harlequin shrimp run noticeably smaller than females.

Related species