Brittle star found in my overflow box!

[HowardCath]

I was changing my filters yesterday and I was surprised to see hairy, flailing arms at the bottom of my overflow box. I jerked my hand out in surprise. It turned out to be a large brittle star. (Might even have two.) Must have been a hitchhiker from long ago! I never put one in my tank. If it were to stretch out, it must be 9 or 10 inches from arm tip to arm tip. Who knows how long it's been living there!

Question -- how to get it out? It's too deep for my arm. I tried long plastic pick-up prongs, but unfortunately, it stiffened up and I just got an arm. Sean at Emerald Bay suggested I put some krill pellets in a net, leave it for 5 or 10 minutes, and he may crawl right in. Hasn't worked so far. He crawls around and under the net, but I'm still trying.

Sean said he'd be fine in my display tank. (I was questioning if he'd get along with the large serpent star that I have; it it wouldn't undermine and tumble my rockwork; and if it wouldn't eat my fish including 2 small sand -sifting gobies.)

 

[NeveSSL]

Awesome, Howard!

I think in general as long as its not the dreaded "green serpant star", most starfish are cool to put in as far as serpants a brittles.

What a cool hitchiker!

Keep us updated.

Brandon

 

[fallinapart]

Yea, cool hitchhiker! especially since I paid good money for one several months ago, plus I lost him when I upgraded my tank. But I love finding things in the tank (or overflow ) ahh good things that is

Norman

 

[HowardCath]

Netted the star, but at a cost

Netted the star, but at a cost

I was finally able to net him when he tried to crawl up the wall of the overflow. Unfortunately, he lost another leg on the way out. Down to 2 long legs, he dashed under the rocks in the display tank -- but not before my lightening wrasse ate the tip of one leg. I hope he makes it and regenerates. He can eat at night when my wrasse is sleeping under the sand. He was really long! Rather than a common star, he now more resembles a quasar.

 

[Lint_Licker]

not all brittle stars are reef safe.

 

[NeveSSL]

Care to elaborate?

Brandon