Feeding Brittle stars?

[Aliie]

I have about 50 of these baby brittle stars in my 12 gal Nanocube. It seems as if they are getting bigger and I was told not going to damage the reef. So now that I am going to keep them do they require a certain type of food? How often if so?

 

[Angel*Fish]

Hi Allie! They are already getting all the food they need since they are proliferating in your tank They are beneficial for your tank as "cleaners"

Sounds like you could become a breeder for Project Dibs if you're interested... http://www.projectdibs.com/
I'm breeding spaghetti worms, mysis & asterinas - I'd love to have a nice population of those little brittle stars, they are pretty cool IMO!

They sell them here for something like a dollar each

 

[Aliie]

So feeding isn't something to worry about then right?

I'm not interested in breeding or selling but thanks anyway. I'd rather do trades with LFS or other reefers.

 

[Angel*Fish]

No, no need to feed - they are living off by-products of your system. If you want to increase their numbers, you could try feeding your tank more of whatever you normally feed and watch to see that nothing else out competes them as a result. -Also theoretically you could change the balance if you were to add a coral or LR to your tank with critters that would out compete them (or even eat them, I suppose)

If the status quo continues to increase their numbers, it might be wise to harvest some every 4-6 months.