I have a 55 gallon reef and I have a decent bioload. The tank is setup sumpless so filtration is limited to hang ons. I'm looking to add a starfish that will help clean up uneaten foods and wastes. I had a large brittle star for a short time, but it would only eat hermit crabs and never scavange for anything else. I was wondering if the serpent stars are a better choice. I currently have a sand sifting star in there and he is doing very well. I don't want any competition for food either. Is a serpent star the right choice
Brittle vs. Serpent
- Thread starter Drewbaby
- Start date
I have a harlequin serpent star in my tank and it does a good job scavenging for uneaten food. It's nocturnal though, so I only see it out and about at night.
AJSTITAN14
New member
Take your SSS back to the LFS. 55g is way to small for him. Experts recommend 200g+
If your SSS is "very active" and out on the rocks a lot it is far from "doing well". It is starving and looking for food.
Serpent Stars are easier to keep in smaller tanks but I would still be cautious.
If your SSS is "very active" and out on the rocks a lot it is far from "doing well". It is starving and looking for food.
Serpent Stars are easier to keep in smaller tanks but I would still be cautious.
My sand sifting star has been in the tank for 1 1/2 years with no trouble. I see him maybe once or twice a month. He's not suffering, don't worry I would never intentionally put any animal in my tank to watch it wither away and die. I research everything I stock and also ask for opinions and previous experiences from other experts and hobbyists like I'm doing here with the serpent starfish, but thank you for your concern about the sand sifter
