Fairy and Flasher Wrasses and serpent stars?

[skiwez]

Is there a problem adding a couple of serpent stars to my tank with several flasher and fairy wrasses? Any danger of them being eaten or, provided that the fish are healthy there should be no problem.

Have 3 fairy wrasses and 3 flashers in a 200 gallon tank, but am concerned because at night the wrasses all sleep in little dens in and around where the sand and live rick meet.

Thanks for the help

 

[eatbreakfast]

Most serpent stars, if well fed, will not hunt healthy fish. The exception is what is commonly called the green serpent star, they are known fish eaters.

 

[albano]

I had to remove both an XL green and an XL white serpent/brittle stars, that where 'suspects' in fish disappearances...they are both still in the sump, over a yr later

 

[aquaph8]

My 2 grey ones are huge and ihavent had any issues in years with lots of wrasses.

 

[38bill]

I have even seen some of my fish sleeping right up against my large serpent star. Never had a problem.

 

[MIKE NY]

Never had a problem with either of my two serpants and I kept both for over ten years .....just make sure they are getting some food ...if not then you may want to target feed it a couple of times a week. As mentioned green brittles are notorious fish eaters and should avoided.

 

[Nina51]

i have a couple of small serpent stars and one ginormous brittle star. never had a problem with them bothering fish. my yellow fin flasher wrasse sleeps under an overhang right above where the big brittle star hangs out. i target feed all of them 2 or 3 times a week.

 

[skiwez]

Thanks for the experiences. Looks like I'll give them a shot. I really enjoy diversity of a mixed reef tank

 

[Nina51]

just so you know, it's unlikely you will see them very much because for the most part, they are nocturnal. all of mine do come out when i feed my tank but they usually stay hidden until lights go out. they're great scavengers!