55gal salt

Question
I have a few questions I can't get figured out, hope you can help. I trust and like the guys at the local fish store but not sure on some things. Should harlequin shrimp be in pairs? I've read that they eat 1 start for a week or up to a month which is fine but can't afford 2 or 3 a week, I bought one but would like to get the mate for it. I also can't get much of anything to grow. There are a couple of mushrooms and a toad stool of some kind and that's about it I haven't put much because right now it's just 2 24" 50/50 bulbs. Should a bristle worm be a concern? Any help would be great.

Answer
Hi Coby, Harlequin shrimps do not have to be kept in pairs although because of their shy nature they are better off in pairs. One starfish a week may be a good idea. These little shrimps need small starfish to eat. On larger ones they may only eat the tube feet at first. Then slowly picking away at the star fish over a period of days. If the starfish is too big and ends up dying in your tank it will foul it pretty fast. I hope you have very good filtration. Harlequin shrimps are very sensitive to nitrate levels in your tank and also require an iodine supplement added to the water. This is a very shy, mild tempered shrimp, as well as delicate and sensitive. It prefers hard rocky or coral substrates, with lots of hiding places. During daylight hours it keeps hidden and only goes out to feed at twilight hours, or complete darkness. It is almost always found in pairs with the female being the larger of the two. To be honest with you, I don't recommend keeping these shrimp unless you are a very experienced hobbiest.
Don't worry about bristle worms. They are harmless detritus eaters that are actually very beneficial to your tank. As long as you are keeping up with doing your partial water changes their population should not grow too quickly and your tank will not become overrun with them. You are better off having bristle worms in your tank then none at all.