- Joined
- Nov 26, 2017
- Messages
- 184
- Reaction score
- 124
Hello! I just wanted to share some insight into my tank. I haven't created any threads so far and thought my harlequin shrimp would be a perfect starter.
I had hundreds of small zoas throughout my tank, and over the past couple months I noticed them disappearing. The culprit: asterina stars. I don't know when they made their appearance in my tank, but I had a huge issue to deal with. These things were everywhere, I don't know how I didn't see their numbers before!
I thought about my options, and after handpicking these devils for what seemed like hours, I hadn't even made a dent in their population. My next choice was a harlequin shrimp. And since I am unoriginal when it comes to names, meet Harley.
I figured I would give it a try and see how the tank was doing in a couple days. I didn't expect him to work nearly as hard as he does! I love this little guy. He/she, (I've been calling it a he), has a tremendous personality that I didn't expect. Whenever my hand is in the tank, he wants to go for a ride. He's out 24/7 all around the tank, frequently picking up asterinas left and right. I've noticed a decrease in my population over time, and I figure he's got about a month or two before he's wiped them out.
At this point though, I've become attached to the little guy. When my asterinas are gone, I plan on picking up some chocolate chips, or hey, even stealing some asterinas from someone nearby haha. I was skeptical before purchasing a $40 invert at the start, but this guy sure makes up for his price tag!
My pictures don't do him justice; the coloration and patterning are beautiful in person. He's become the protector of my zoanthids and my maintenance buddy when I'm working in the tank.
In short, these guys work their tails off. They're worth that price tag and they will help out your system tremendously if you've got some pest stars. They have amazing personalities and love attention, surprisingly! And they will always, and I mean always, pose for your camera.
I had hundreds of small zoas throughout my tank, and over the past couple months I noticed them disappearing. The culprit: asterina stars. I don't know when they made their appearance in my tank, but I had a huge issue to deal with. These things were everywhere, I don't know how I didn't see their numbers before!
I thought about my options, and after handpicking these devils for what seemed like hours, I hadn't even made a dent in their population. My next choice was a harlequin shrimp. And since I am unoriginal when it comes to names, meet Harley.
I figured I would give it a try and see how the tank was doing in a couple days. I didn't expect him to work nearly as hard as he does! I love this little guy. He/she, (I've been calling it a he), has a tremendous personality that I didn't expect. Whenever my hand is in the tank, he wants to go for a ride. He's out 24/7 all around the tank, frequently picking up asterinas left and right. I've noticed a decrease in my population over time, and I figure he's got about a month or two before he's wiped them out.
At this point though, I've become attached to the little guy. When my asterinas are gone, I plan on picking up some chocolate chips, or hey, even stealing some asterinas from someone nearby haha. I was skeptical before purchasing a $40 invert at the start, but this guy sure makes up for his price tag!
My pictures don't do him justice; the coloration and patterning are beautiful in person. He's become the protector of my zoanthids and my maintenance buddy when I'm working in the tank.
In short, these guys work their tails off. They're worth that price tag and they will help out your system tremendously if you've got some pest stars. They have amazing personalities and love attention, surprisingly! And they will always, and I mean always, pose for your camera.