Harlequin shrimp.

[Jimmyman]

So I'm debating on getting a Harlequin shrimp, few things I have a question about. It would be in my 150 in which I have coral. I understand there specific diet. My concern is are they reef safe. Also I have a huge peppermint shrimp in there as well. Would they be ok . And last but not least I have a niger trigger in there. Which he is way laid back doesn't bother anything

 

[bhodges82]

As far as I know they are reef safe being that they only eat starfish. Some people feed them chocolate chip starfish legs, and keep the starfish in the sump. If the Niger isn't eating the other shrimp, the harlequin will likely be safe as well.

 

[bigd]

They’re pretty small, so they might be a little more appetizing for the trigger.

 

[ActiveAngel]

I can confirm both of the above. They only eat sea stars, and many of them specifically will only eat 'live' sea stars. They will not eat corals, so they are reef safe.

And... Niger Triggers will love to eat a Harlequin Shrimp, as well as peppermints shrimps and many corals. While its possible that this Trigger is not interested in these guys now, you are not the first to be playing this dangerous game. Based on past experience from hundreds of reefers, I'm sorry to tell you, its just a matter of time. Hopefully, someday I will eat my words on this issue of caution. But it hasn't happened yet.

My recommendation is to listen to the advice of the thousands that tried this before you, and set up a separate FOWLR system for the trigger... or wait until you have a 1000g tank and the corals can grow faster than the trigger eats.

 

[FutureInterest]

Yah niger will eat them... but the shrimp aren't fools. I have a mated pair of harlequins and they only come out at night when the big fish are sleeping. I don't have any triggers but mine take that precaution. They only eat starfish but not all kinds... They don't go for serpent or brittles. They do go for the asterinas which is why I have them in the first place.