Chocolate Chip Starfish Reef Safe?

[gilbertjanke]

Are chocolate chip starfish reef safe? Or should i get rid of him b4 turning my fowl tank into a reef tank? If there is any risk id rather be safe about it. Ive heard that the can knock over corals easily and maybe even kill them?
Not quite sure

Thanks!

 

[ROB2005]

No that star is not reef safe. It has been known to go after inverterbrates, clams, and an array of corals. Best left to a FOWLR

 

[gilbertjanke]

Makes sense, and confirms what ive heard. Thanks SO Much!

 

[Fishkeeper101]

Ha ha, yeah, the LFS sold one to me. Great star fish, It became the focal point of the tank, my whole family loved him till one day he plopped down on some of my anthelia and by the time I got to him, half the colony was gone.

Never made that mistake again. haha.

 

[snorvich]

Yes, they are not reef safe. However they make great meals for harlequin shrimp if you keep them in your sump and cut off a leg every two or three weeks.

 

[KurtsReef]

Not the one I had.

It ate ornamental shrimp, small fish, and an arrow crab...

Don't think it ate any corals though.

 

[mastawong]

cut off a leg?? *faints*. I've been thinking of getting a harlequin, and I know they eat the starfish, but will the starfish produce some kind of toxin or something when the shrimp is eating it?

 

[snorvich]

Actually the Harlequin shrimp paralyzes the star and keeps it alive and immobile while consuming it.

 

[mirthrin]

My chocolate star fish has tried to eat my hermit crabs, but has been unsuccessful. I though he wouldn't be able to eat my turbo snail because the snail is so big. Well he did try eat him. The turbo snail never came out of his shell again after the star fish wrapped up on him for a couple of days. I don't know how he killed him, but he did. He spent most of his time on the glass, but ventured to the rock and squished all my mushrooms. I'll never have another. He went right back to the LFS.

 

[snorvich]

You might consider changing LFS. they should have told you that they are not reef safe.