Ultramarine Magazine Issue 64 JuneJuly 2017

Images and text by Kenneth Wingerter

(unless credited otherwise)

Aquarium hobbyists are a rather disparate lot, having many diff erent interests and tastes. This

diversity is clearly manifested in the many kinds of aquarium systems that they construct. If

there is but a single, obvious commonality in this group, it is an obsession with colour.

This certainly seems to be the
case for marine aquarists. For
so many, the attraction to the
characteristically bright hues
and bold patterns of coral
reef animals never goes away.
Nevertheless, as many marine
aquarium enthusiasts progress
in the hobby, they become
interested more and more
in unusual livestock. While
these species can indeed be
exceedingly strange and quite
fun to observe, they do tend
be relatively specialised with
respect to environment or diet.
Consequently, less experienced
aquarists simply avoid them
whereas advanced aquarists
(who seem to relish special
challenges) fi nd them to be
intriguing, if not irresistible. But
it is those species possessing
both beauty and uniqueness
that keep seasoned hobbyists
up at night. To be sure, a fi tting
example of such a “must have
someday” creature is the
harlequin shrimp (Hymenocera
spp.).
Even among the shrimps,
a huge group that includes
many, many colourful species,
the harlequin shrimp is widely
considered to be the fairest
of them all. Downright gaudy
in pattern and pigmentation,
the term “ornamental” might
not seem entirely adequate in
describing the visual impact
it can create. They make for

an especially striking display

when engaging in their

highly unusual hunting and

feeding behaviors. Adapted

to feed on certain types of

starfi shes, a harlequin shrimp

can surely be the superlative

conversation piece in any

hobbyist’s collection; however,

in order to thrive under captive

conditions, such a specialised

animal requires special care.

Here, we examine this one-of-

a-kind crustacean’s ecology and

outline its basic husbandry in

the home aquarium.

An Enduring Commitment

Caring for Harlequin Shrimps

A magnifi cent adult specimen in captivity. Image J Clipperton

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