Date:Fri 12/15/2023 8:00 AM
Happy Friday, everyone, and to a wonderful weekend, and subsequent winter break ahead! Today's fish of the day is harlequin shrimp!
The harlequin shrimp, known by scientific name Hymenocera picta, is a common saltwater tank pet. Found in the Pacific and Indian ocean range, with most of their population living around Hawaii. The harlequin shrimp occasionally is split into two separate species based on living habits of the Pacific ocean vs the Indian ocean, but the species are so similar it's considered by most to simply be the same. These shrimp are found in pairs, and when being purchased for aquariums, often need to be kept with their partner. However, they are incredibly territorial towards shrimp that are not their chosen partner.
The diet of the harlequin shrimp consists almost entirely of starfish, and two individuals will make quick work of flipping a starfish and feeding on a particular arm to the core. The starfish occasionally will shed the arm and regrow the limb, but oftentimes it has been too damaged to regrow. When starfish can't be found, occasionally these shrimp will supplement by eating urchins. The female and male partners are known to stay together for life in the wild, but find new partners after death of old ones, as they not only mate but forage, and watch for predators together. Females can be expected to drop as many as 5,000 eggs in a breeding season, depending on environmental factors, primarily salinity, temperature, and possible stressors.
Have a good Friday, everyone! Stay safe over winter break!