feeding serpent star?

[mhe]

Hi,

I got a serpent star in my Part 1, and seeing as he's the only "big" thing in my tank and it's looking like it'll be a while before I get my part 2 and add some fish I was wondering if I need to feed him (her?).

I've been adding some phytoplankton every few days to keep the filter feeders happy (and everything does look pretty happy in my tank at this point, good life persists on all the rock), but nothing meaty or substantial.

Do I need to/should I be feeding the serpent star, or can he get enough to live on from [insert whatever he's eating here]?

Thanks,

- Michael

 

[patsan]

Many of us give them small pieces of shrimp or silversides Michael.

 

[docklink]

Many of us give them small pieces of shrimp or silversides Michael.

Aye. Mine get a BB sized piece of silver sides twice a week (when I feed my anemones). I place it on the end of a bamboo skewer and hold it close to where the star is. It's still fun to watch it come out of hiding and wrap up the treat. My daughter nick-named the big one "Pig" for its voraciousness.

 

[mhe]

So (intro to dumb question)...

Do you buy a few shrimp from the local market ("Um, two cocktail shrimp please") or from the LFS? I assume silversides are something that you could find at most LFS? Fresh, frozen?

Thanks,

- Michael

 

[patsan]

So (intro to dumb question)...
Do you buy a few shrimp from the local market ("Um, two cocktail shrimp please") or from the LFS? I assume silversides are something that you could find at most LFS? Fresh, frozen?
Thanks,
- Michael

Not a dumb question at all. Yes, just give it a small piece of raw cocktail shrimp (the kind we eat, only make sure it's raw) and the silversides they sell frozen at the LFS. A small bag will only cost $4 or so, and it has lots of silversides in it, so it will last you a long time.

When we feed the serpents, they come running out for the food! It's a sight to see for sure.

*edit* you can defrost the silversides and/or shrimp in a small amount of water from your tank.

 

[docklink]

It's a good excuse for a shrimp dinner for yourself, too

 

[mhe]

Well, I skipped the shrimp dinner but the serpent star came-a-running for a piece of shrimp from the local food store, grabbed it, slunk back under his rock, and he's now one fat serpent star. Mission accomplished!

Thanks all,

- Michael

 

[shadowtek]

I rehydrated a large Krill and my Red Serpent stuffed itself with it.

My question is, since the Krill was pretty much about half the size of his central disk, when should the next feeding be?

 

[browardreefer]

fish and inverts eat better then we do :/

 

[cappn]

I feel my serpent star shrimp pellets. They are very cool to watch, as they swallow the pellet whole which creates a large lump in their body. Mine often cannot side back under the rock because its stomach is so full LOL.

 

[causeofhim]

Mine eats shrimp right from my hand. It's cool!

 

[Hooked on Salt]

Mine eats anything I put in the tank. Brine shrimp, flake, pellets, clam, squid, shrimp, and an occasional blue leg hermit.

 

[OldmillXxX]

Does this also apply for the sand sifting star? I have dropped Formula 1 and 2 pellets next to it many times, but I don't know if it takes them or not. It recently lost a leg in a small opening on one of the power heads, but seems to be doing fine; healed up nicely and seems to be growing new, but very slowly. That was about 4-5 months ago. Does it simply filter feed the small stuff out of the sand and rock?

Just asking.

 

[Hooked on Salt]

I don't add anything extra for the sand sifter. As far as I know it eats whatever it can find in the sand. Mine lost a leg the first night I had it (I think a gorilla crab got it) but it doesn't seem to have stopped it from traveling. I see it about once a week.