Harlequin Shrimp (Hymenocera picta) Breeding Guide

Hymenocera picta is a monogamous, starfish-eating shrimp that has been captive-bred. Females carry eggs and larvae rear over a roughly 60-day planktonic phase on Asterina.

Overview

Hymenocera picta, the harlequin shrimp, reaches about 5 cm (2 in) and ranges from Hawaii through the Indo-Pacific on coral reefs, preferring temperatures of about 72–82 degrees Fahrenheit. It feeds almost exclusively on starfish, consuming the tube feet and soft tissues, and commonly attacks crown-of-thorns starfish, killing them within days. This obligate sea-star diet has historically limited its popularity, but the species has been bred in captivity.

Sexing

Females are larger than males and have coloured abdominal plates that the slightly smaller males lack, making the pair distinguishable at maturity.

Conditioning

Harlequin shrimp live in pairs, usually one female and one male hunting together, and work together both to forage and to reproduce. Conditioning depends on a steady supply of starfish, since adults have an obligatory diet of sea stars; small Asterina starfish are a practical food.

Spawning & Berried Females

The female carries the fertilised eggs and produces between 100 and 5,000 eggs per season depending on environmental conditions. Both members of the pair cooperate around reproduction.

Larval Care

Harlequin shrimp have an extended larval period of around 60 days before settlement. The species has been raised in captivity: Aquatic Technology of Ohio got more than 500 harlequin shrimp to settle out and live past 60 days, and the young grazed on tiny Asterina starfish, keeping their natural feeding instinct through development.