InvertExpert care10g minimum
Harlequin shrimp reef compatibility check
Hymenocera picta
Stunning pair-forming shrimp with one very specific diet.
Minimum tank
10 gallons
Care level
Expert
Reef safety
Safe
Bioload score
0.2
Stocking stage
Late
Flow need
Low
Light need
None
Compatibility warnings
- Eats only live starfish; you must keep supplying them.
- Keep as a pair; sensitive to water quality swings.
- Check adult size against the final tank, not the fish or coral at purchase size.
- Add livestock slowly so the bioload and nutrient export can keep up.
- Use the planner when this animal changes the tank-size, flow, lighting, or stocking plan.
Professional planning context
- Use the 10 gallon minimum as an adult-planning floor; display length, aquascape, and existing tankmates can raise that floor.
- Hold this entry until the system has at least 3 months of maturity or equivalent stability evidence.
- Invert plans should account for copper exposure, acclimation sensitivity, predation risk, and whether the tank can actually feed the animal.
Tank fit and maturity gate
Tank minimum
10 gallons
ReefCrafter uses 10 gallons as the planning floor for adult size, swimming room, nutrient load, and aggression margin.
Maturity gate
3 months
This animal should wait until the tank has enough age, food web stability, or parameter history.
Care notes
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Reef safety
- Safe
- Adult size
- 2 in
- Placement
- Rock crevices in a stable, mature tank.
- Diet
- Live starfish only, such as asterina or chocolate chip stars.
- Flow
- Low
- Light
- None
- Bioload
- 0.2