brittle star babies

[Ronald]

Hi Anthony, just hooked back up with your forum and as always spent far too much time. That green house thread was fantastic! What a detailed account and great pictures too.

If you may (or probably don't) recall I noticed some baby brittle stars in my tank about 5 months ago. I am proud to report I have at least one juvenile (about 3 inches) and several babies.
You were right, they basically take care of themselves.

I have some mangrove sprouts now (Red) leaves are getting there I wonder if it is too late to release the roots from the sand (they are in small plastic starter cups) and try elevating the roots to get some air root action. I also considered trying to get one to grow over a live rock and make a sort of Bonzai mangrove. Slow growth is an attractive feature for a Bonzai although sensitivity to pruning is not.

I hope you had pleasant holidays and best wishes for a productive and happy new year!

Ron

 

[Anthony Calfo]

thanks for your very kind words, Ron

Its not too late to tease the mangrove roots. If extensive, then take some weeks/months of exposing them. But if only established for a few months total... no biggie - do liberate them. For creating aerial prop roots, keep the seeds tethered to a stake with flexible gardeners tape and slowly raise them our of water with roots partially submerged (always) over time.