Not furry either, still lovely.
Harlequin Shrimp
Hymenocera picta
Also called Painted harlequin shrimp, Hymenocera elegans (Indian Ocean form)
From Tropical coral reefs of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, east to Hawaii12
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Thin exoskeleton with flattened, paddle-like claws
A small, flat-clawed shrimp with a cream to white body covered in large spots: red in Pacific animals, purple to blue in Indian Ocean animals and a mix of both in Hawaii. Its claws and eyes look flattened, and it carries leaf-shaped sensory antennules on its head.13
Personality what they are like
Peaceful and calm towards fish and corals. Pairs stay close and cooperate.31
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Slow and deliberate, spending much of its time near shelter and working on its food.13
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Moderate care level, mainly because of its specialised diet. Keep water stable and copper-free, provide iodine for moulting and keep moderate lighting.3
Home where they are happiest
A marine reef aquarium with rockwork and moderate light. LiveAquaria gives 72-78 °F (about 22-26 °C), pH 8.1-8.4, dKH 8-12 and specific gravity 1.023-1.025. Wild animals live at 1-20 m depth. No minimum tank size was given by the sources.32
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A specialist that eats sea stars and almost nothing else. Keepers must supply starfish such as Linckia or Fromia, and it occasionally takes sea urchins.13
Company who they like around
Best kept as a mated pair; pairs forage and breed together.13
The story where it all began
The harlequin shrimp was described by Dana in 1852 and is the only member of its genus. Its strikingly painted body has made it a prized, if specialised, aquarium animal.21
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Pairs team up to flip a sea star onto its back before feeding.1
- 2
It is known to feed on the crown-of-thorns starfish, a major coral predator.2
- 3
Its spot colour varies by ocean: red in the Pacific, purple in the Indian Ocean and both in Hawaii.1
- 4
A female can produce anywhere from about 100 to 5,000 eggs in a season.1
Recognised by the official bits
- Taxonomy (via SeaLifeBase)
- Described by Dana in 1852. Some taxonomists treat the Indian Ocean form as a separate species, Hymenocera elegans.2
- Wikipedia
- Synonymy of H. elegans with H. picta noted.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Harlequin Shrimp. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingDepends on species, many feed from the light and the watervaries
- Salinity checkevery week
- Water testevery week
- Top-upTop up evaporation with fresh RO water, not salt waterevery day
- Water changeAbout 10 to 20% of the waterevery 2 weeks
- Light checkevery month
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Harlequin Shrimp?
Feeding frequency depends on the starfish you offer and your shrimp's appetite. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests feeding depends on the species, so ask your vet or a good breeder for a schedule tailored to your shrimp. Furry Diary plan
What does a Harlequin Shrimp eat, and what should it never eat?
Your Harlequin Shrimp is a specialist that eats sea stars, such as Linckia or Fromia, and occasionally sea urchins. It should never be offered other foods, as it relies almost exclusively on starfish.13
How much space does a Harlequin Shrimp need?
No minimum tank size is given by the sources, but a marine reef aquarium with rockwork and moderate light is needed. For a specific tank size, ask your exotic-pet vet or a good breeder.
What temperature, light or water does a Harlequin Shrimp need?
Keep water temperature 72-78°F (22-26°C), pH 8.1-8.4, dKH 8-12, and specific gravity 1.023-1.025. Provide moderate lighting and a marine reef setup with rockwork.32
How often should I clean a Harlequin Shrimp's home?
Furry Diary's starting plan suggests a 10-20% water change every 14 days, top up evaporation daily with fresh RO water, and check salinity and water quality weekly. Clean as needed to keep the tank stable. Furry Diary plan
Can a Harlequin Shrimp live with others?
Yes, it is peaceful towards fish and corals and is best kept as a mated pair that forages and breeds together. Avoid housing with aggressive tank mates.13
How long does a Harlequin Shrimp live?
Lifespan is not specified in the sources. It varies with care and environment, so ask your vet or a good breeder for an estimate.
Can I handle a Harlequin Shrimp?
Handling is not recommended due to its delicate exoskeleton and stress. It is best to observe it in the tank; if you must move it, ask your vet for safe methods.
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Harlequin shrimp (Wikipedia) en.wikipedia.orgused for names, range, size, appearance, pairing, diet, reproduction, fun facts
- Hymenocera picta, SeaLifeBase sealifebase.seused for author and year, depth range, max length, crown-of-thorns diet
- Harlequin Shrimp, LiveAquaria liveaquaria.comused for care level, water parameters, aquarium diet, max size
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.