Brittle star invasion!!!

[salt T]

My tank is about a-year-old and doing well.
But I have Major problem with small brittle stars...
I've been reading a lot and people say that they can be helpful or they're not a nuisance but this is ridiculous! I want them gone!!

Please help

 

[vertigo01]

I rarely ever see my brittle stars, unless they are spawning. Which by looking at the picture posted, seems to be what they are doing.
Are the brittle stars visible at all rimes, or just certain times, such as after a larger than normal water change?

 

[Dmorty217]

Harlequin shrimp or manual removal

 

[MrsReefK]

Harlequin shrimp or manual removal

Harlequins ear brittle stars? I thought chocolate chip stars only?

 

[Dans85]

Harlequin shrimp don't eat brittle stars.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Holy cow I'd say that's an invasion. Maybe you can sell them to your lfs for store credit?

Harlequin shrimp eat starfish, chocolate chip starfish are cheap and their legs will regrow if you keep a bunch in the sump to feed legs for food. It's a renewable food source.

Dan, I would guess that Dmorty wouldn't have said that Harlequin shrimp would eat them if they wouldn't. Do you know for a fact that they won't?

 

[Ztous]

Sell em. If someone near me could sell me a few stars at that size I would buy em.

 

[ca1ore]

I think the mini brittle stars are really cool. Typically any member of the CUC will wax and wane based on available food. Too many stars, worms, etc. usually means too much uneaten food. Harlequins will eat asterinas but not bristles.

 

[thegrun]

They are pretty much self regulating as far as numbers go. If there is an ample food supply the multiply, if not their numbers will diminish. You may be overfeeding.

 

[jsnrho82]

Wow, that is an invasion! Very cool to see so many at once.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I've got dozens of them in my LR and I've never seen a whole one, only the legs when I feed the tank.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

This is not a selling forum. Posts have been removed.

They are pretty much self regulating as far as numbers go. If there is an ample food supply the multiply, if not their numbers will diminish. You may be overfeeding.

Yes, cut back on feeding and their numbers will decline.