Mini brittle stars

[Jarrok]

Are these something I can find at ABC? I can't say I've ever seen any advertised there, but as I understand they can frequently be in refugiums and whatnot. I'm interested in getting a group going in my system.

 

[terrypercula]

I have a bunch in my tank. I'm not sure if it's usually something a store keeps on hand though

 

[chem]

Are you looking for the little white ones

 

[Jarrok]

Are you looking for the little white ones

I'm not certain what all colors they come in, but AFAIK the little white ones are asternia stars? It's been a long time since I've had any mini brittles in a tank, so I won't completely rule out white being a color.

 

[terrypercula]

Mine are white but they're turning green as they get bigger

 

[fpv930]

If you ever get out to the snow and make it to the Syracuse/Liverpool area. I will give you as many as you need. I them all over in my 36g tank.

 

[Jarrok]

I appreciate that. The next time I'm headed down that way I'll send you a PM!

 

[fpv930]

I appreciate that. The next time I'm headed down that way I'll send you a PM!

Sounds like a plan!!

 

[tmz]

They come in as hitchiker on live rock and rubble . They are usualy balck ,greeno or red. I have hundreds .They multiply a lot the right conditions. Some images of them:

https://www.google.com/search?q=min...JCKiosQSsg4H4Cw&ved=0CDsQsAQ&biw=1600&bih=756

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Do a search on RC using Ophiactis as keyword

 

[andriytheaaa]

Anyone want to help me get some too? i have been trying to find some for 6 months, and even bought a bunch of cheato or live rock with no micro brittle stars at all.

 

[tmz]

Thanks for the proper name ,Gary. I had forgotten it. This is a nice article from the University of Michigan Zoology Museum, on the Ophiactis savigny.
I found their prefernce for sponge habitats interesting as popluations in my tanks did increase as sponges increased with organic carbon dosing. I love them;can't get enough detritivores.

The article:

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Ophiactis_savignyi/

 

[Mikefromaz]

I love micto stars. I just caught one munching on my green star polyps. Putting them in your fuge doesnt keep them out of the display tank. If they dont crawl against the flow which they do very well, any eggs they make will just flow back into the tank. Asternias are best left to fish only tanks.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

I love micto stars. I just caught one munching on my green star polyps. Putting them in your fuge doesnt keep them out of the display tank. If they dont crawl against the flow which they do very well, any eggs they make will just flow back into the tank. Asternias are best left to fish only tanks.

This thread has nothing to do with Asterina spp.