I have heard (on RC in fact) that they only need a normal sized star every month or so. I have collected and observed them in the wild and I have kept them ( I have a pr right now in my nano) and I have never seen them without a star in the ocean. I keep stars with them at all times and only time they are not on the star is right before they shed. My thoughts are if they aren't hungry they wont eat, but if they want food and there are no stars available that isn't fair to them. Like I've said, there are people who keep them very successfully feeding a lot less then I do, but mine do well and I've kept them for many years and had great success.