any suitable starfish?

[grim0822]

i've been thinking of adding a star to my fowlr tank. anyone know of a good one that fits the following parameters?

1. ok in a 30 gallon tank (30-40 pounds of live rock)
2. won't eat my snails / crabs
3. will clean sand (i have a shallow sand bed, about 2 inches)

i've read elsewhere on the forum to avoid linkia, since they require bigger tanks and will deplete the life in the sand, eventually starving.

i was looking at brittle stars, like maybe a black brittle.

any suggestions?

thanks!

 

[theop]

I think serpent and brittle stars are basically the same. I would recommend one of these as they are good at moving sand, will eat anything you feed them, and are generally safe in the tank. Green ones are supposed to be more likely to eat small fish. I think any of the serpents would eat a fish if they are hungry enough and can catch one, but with a little regular feeding they should be ok.

 

[AllenFord_SC]

Either a brittle or a serpent star. Stay away from the green brittle stars because the will eat what they can, including your smaller fish.