Need Advice Fast

[optimusgrind]

JUST BOUGHT A SERPENT SEA STAR AND ANOTHER AND A BRITTLE STAR FISH HAS ANY BODY HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THESE SPECIES IN REEF TANKS

 

[szwab]

serpent stars are known to capture and eat small reef fish from time to time. other than that they are pretty much detrivores.

 

[Sk8r]

Green serpent stars are predators: that one goes in your sump, where he can do a nice cleaning job. The stripy, bristly sort are safe and good.

 

[optimusgrind]

the green one is huge could he live in a sump for real ?? if any of my fish go missing my my girl friend is gonna be upset lol i should definetaly return him to the fish store done really wanna take a risk do they eat corals ?? THE serpent is smaller in size looking for somethingg to clean effectively any suggestions ???? thank you very much

 

[szwab]

no they don't eat corals. at least i've never heard of it. I had one as big as my hand in my sump. he would go after any food that made it down there. try a shrimp in the display they are good scavengers.

 

[LeslieH]

Guys, there are 1000s of species out there. The names "serpent stars" and "brittle stars" aren't good species names. They're descriptive terms which only tell you if the arms are smooth or spiny. The green serpent star - Ophioarachna incrassata - is the dangerous fish eater so yes, if you've got that one keep it away from fish. Otherwise your newly purchased stars are likely to be harmless to most of your tank's inhabitants.

 

[szwab]

In general do not trust the spiney ones. I had a maroon veriety hunt/eat a fish as well. Haven't had issues with the smoother variety.

 

[optimusgrind]

yes it is a spiney tentacled one i think small yellow looking spines on the outside of arms the the boddy is mainly green the fish store i purchased it from doesnt specify species very well !