Is there any reef safe starfish?

[rkb]

Today I picked up a sand sifter star for my DSB but after further reading thought that a mistake was made. I ended up taking the star back, but I would like to have some type of a starfish for detritus removal. I think a red serpent would be cool but I'm willing to accept that no star is good for my 29g reef.

 

[iFisch]

Re: Is there any reef safe starfish?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15371132#post15371132 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rkb
Today I picked up a sand sifter star for my DSB but after further reading thought that a mistake was made. I ended up taking the star back, but I would like to have some type of a starfish for detritus removal. I think a red serpent would be cool but I'm willing to accept that no star is good for my 29g reef.

Starfishes don't generally last long in our tanks, for some reason.

However the two most common collected are the "Fromia" and "Linckia"

Either can be had under $20.

 

[YoungReefer06]

Most brittle and serpent stars are good for the reef aquarium. Two exceptions are the olive green serpent star which grows too large and will grow to a size that puts other livestock at risk, and brittle stars that come in (to whoever you buy your stuff from) with sponges or gorgonians, as these are hard to keep alive. Formia and linkia sea stars are somewhat easy to keep as long as the have enough live rock for them to graze upon. The red/purple/blue and white speckled ones are the hardest of them. A red serpent should do nicely for your tank as long as it gets enough food. In fact a red serpent is the only sea star I currently have in my personal aquaria in my apt.

Kyle

 

[YoungReefer06]

I meant hardiest (easiest to keep) not hardest.*

 

[MrRyanT]

I've had a serpent star in my tank for about 3 years with no problems. It's big enough that it could knock over stuff but mine never has.

 

[rkb]

Cool- thanks for the replies. I guess I'm still a kid at heart and want an iconic starfish, they just have that look.

 

[iFisch]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15371319#post15371319 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rkb
Cool- thanks for the replies. I guess I'm still a kid at heart and want an iconic starfish, they just have that look.

That's why I went with the Formia. $15 at LFS. Brilliant creature.

 

[Amoore311]

look for Linkia Multiflora. The do a lot better in tanks than the more common linckia laevigata

 

[Jorober]

I've had two sand sifting stars in my system for several years now, three years to be exact. I've moved them from my 90g to my 135g, and finally into my 180g. I've never seen anything but good things with them in my tanks. They're great at cleaning the sand, and don't seem to bother anything at all. Just my HO.