How Do Serpent Starfish Reproduce?

[LCGoldman]

Just wondering... do they reproduce asexually?

I'm pretty sure I just saw a baby serpent starfish in my tank. And, I've only had the one serpent starfish in my tank.

Thanks in advance.

 

[billsreef]

You've probably got more in the live rock than you realize

 

[MIKE NY]

I have two large ones, a red and a grey each over 12"across, for over seven years and from what I read ...it's very rare that they reproduce in captivity. You probably have those little white ones which I think just split to reproduce( I'm probably wrong), but I have hundreds of those in different color patterns ...great scavangers that eat algae too.

 

[LCGoldman]

Nope, it's not a white one (I have plenty of those!). It was a very miniature looking serpent star. From arm to arm I'd say it was nickel sized... each leg was pretty long and thin.

 

[DgenR8]

I've got them, too. Hundreds of them. The legs look banded, right?

 

[MIKE NY]

yup..I got those little banded ones too........some are almost the size of a quarter.....

 

[LCGoldman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7876147#post7876147 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DgenR8
I've got them, too. Hundreds of them. The legs look banded, right?

Yes! (but, I've only seen the one)

 

[cb747]

You have alot more that you dont see. I have lots but dont see them often

 

[DgenR8]

They live mostly inside your live rock. Watch the rocks when you ad food to your tank, you should see tons of little starfish arms reaching out for something to eat.

 

[magyk74]

But how do they reproduce?

 

[DgenR8]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7883170#post7883170 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by magyk74
But how do they reproduce?

I was afraid that someone would point out that that was what this thread was about from the beginning.
I honestly don't know the answer.

 

[MIKE NY]

check out your tanks at night with a flashlight...you'll probably see hundreds of them grazing on the rockwork....I think they just split when they reproduce, but if anyone really wants to know....give Ophiurioid a PM, she is the resident expert on these guys here on the boards and has helped me with keeping mine healthy for so many years...........

 

[DgenR8]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7883205#post7883205 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MIKE NY
give Ophiurioid a PM,

Try saying that 10X fast!

 

[billsreef]

They sexually reproduce, with some species "mouth" brooding the young and releasing fully formed babies. It the brooders that successfully reproduce in our tanks

 

[DgenR8]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7883261#post7883261 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by billsreef
They sexually reproduce,

Well, we don't need a diagram of that!

 

[MIKE NY]

hey Bill, can you post a pic with a work warning..

 

[LCGoldman]

But, are these little guys serpent stars? Descendent perhaps from the one big guy that I got?

 

[billsreef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7884238#post7884238 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MIKE NY
hey Bill, can you post a pic with a work warning..

There's a new career path, starfish porn :lol:

 

[billsreef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7884663#post7884663 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LCGoldman
But, are these little guys serpent stars? Descendent perhaps from the one big guy that I got?

Odds are that they are a small species that you hadn't noticed. Probably only started out with a couple that have reproduced to the point where you are now beginning to see them

 

[Spracklcat]

I have those guys too--they are most likely like Bill said their owns speices and not hte offspring of the big guy. Here's what I found:

"Ophiactis and like species: Striped Micro Brittle Stars are popular reef denizens that are commonly observed hiding in live rock and other porous substrates, including living sponges and other sessile reef inverts. The are commonly imported with live rock from the Pacific and with clumps of algae from various locales. . . Evidence of their success and adaptability in aquariums can be seen as they adorn live rock and plant matter with a show of numerous arms peeking out from the substrate while filter-feeding in the current."

it also mentions that they are self-fertilizing hermaphrodites that brood their young.

So yes, Bill is (as always) right on the mark, and indeed this would make an interesting "adult movie"..