Bristle star might be the culprit

[Raptor72]

Ever since I set up my tank in February, I've had fish disappear without a trace. It's been a big mystery and I've taken steps to narrow down the causes. I capped my overflows and placed screen tops on the tank so that ruled out anything jumping out or getting sucked into the filter. The only fish in there are 5 blue green chromis and two blennys. I've lost two small clowns, a pygmy angel and a couple other small fish. I'm pretty sure now that the star which measures about 14 inches end to end is the reason for all this. Now it's time to catch him and send it to the sump.

 

[evsalty]

The green brittle stars are known for this but any of them could do it at that size. They will find a opening or cave enterence in the rocks and then arch up and wait until a unsuspecting fish swims underneath them.

 

[redneckgearhead]

Mine ate both my cleaner shrimp! Seen him eat one, so I know it was him!

 

[sillygoose]

Hmmm - I've got about a 20" monster. We've named him the kraken. I wonder if that's where my shrimp went.

 

[xpertrifle]

I saw mine grab a big bristle worm!

 

[Raptor72]

Hmmm - I've got about a 20" monster. We've named him the kraken. I wonder if that's where my shrimp went.

That's funny, that's what my kids named it.

 

[phireman]

I had a green brittlestar for about 5 years and during that duration I lost at least a dozen fish with no trace. Clownfish, Yellow and Blue Tangs, Wrasses...you name it. My wife kept telling me it was that brittlestar and I would not believe it till I got up one night arund 3 am and flashed the light and sure enough...his stay did not last much longer!

 

[aquaph8]

Mines never touched anything. I have fire fish, and like 4 kinds of shrimp. Id imagine if they get hungry enough, they do what they gotta do.

 

[Raptor72]

Last night I tried for 2 hours to lure it out with a shrimp so I could grab it but he did t get that size by being dumb. He keeps his body at the entrance to his cave and only takes out about three of it's arms to grab the shrimp and tries to pull it inside.

This is going to be a little tricky. Maybe if I don't feed it for a while it will venture out. Several months ago it came out for a stroll around the tank, posing for pictures and climbing all over everything.

 

[sillygoose]

I've decided to start feeding mine better.