Question in Brittle Sea Star

[jmc1024]

I was wondering if anyone can give me some advice on how to introduce my brittle sea star into my aquarium? I'm fine with the accumulation method however, it is recommend not to expose the starfish to air at all and I really don't want to get any of the store's water in my tank. Anyone have any suggestions on how to move the starfish into my aquarium without exposing it to the air and without getting any water from the store in my tank?
Thank,
Jay

 

[lifeoffaith]

I typically acclimate things I don't want to touch or don't want to expose to air inside of a smaller container that is allowed to overflow into my usual 5 gallon acclimation bucket. I'm not sure how long it would take to completely replace the water from the store, but this would allow you to pick up the small container and dump the whole thing into the tank. Of course, the smaller it is, the quicker it will be replaced by your tank water, but of course no guarantee that it is all gone.

 

[sam.basye]

I'd just toss it in after acclimation. It's not going to hurt the star any being exposed to air for a few seconds.

I definitely hear you on your concerns with other people's tank water. If I can help it, no outside tank water enters my tank with any new additions. I like it pest free. Lol
I spent probably an hour picking through some chaeto I acquired pulling all the bristle worms out..

 

[travis9791]

Just curious. What is the reason for not exposing them to air.

 

[jmc1024]

Thank you for your suggestions. I too have been hearing that a second or two exposed to air will be ok. Think that's the way I'm going to go.

Travis9791- according to live aquaria a sea star should never be exposed to air which would make it difficult to add to your tank without getting unwanted tank water in your tank.

 

[daquan44]

A quick transfer should be fine. I just did a tank upgrade and moved a large piece of liverock covered with acro's. To my surprise my brittle star was holding onto the rock. To my second surprise, my acro colony was to large to fit in the opening of my tank without moving the lights. To make a long post short, my star was out of water for a few mins. It has been a couple weeks and the star is just fine. I didn't even know I had potentially harmed my star until I read this thread.

 

[Ron Reefman]

Maybe it depends on the type of star, but I've had serpent and brittle stars that have been out of the water for 5 and 10 minutes and had no issues when returned to the tank. We even find tiny serpent and brittle stars inside sponges washed up on the beach and out of the water for long periods of time that survive. To be honest, I know most sponges have this issue with being exposed to any air, but I've never heard anybody say that about serpent or brittle stars.

I look forward to doing some research and maybe learning something new.

 

[lifeoffaith]

I've heard it more about regular stars myself which would make sense that it would apply to brittles too, but they seem to be much more hearty in my opinion.

 

[travis9791]

I haven't found any brittle our serpent stars at my LFS. I thought they were a pretty common starfish. Any reason why no one ever has them. I am looking for a low priced hardy starfish, and from what I read I thought they would be a good fit. Anyone have any suggestions on a different inexpensive hardy starfish.

 

[jmc1024]

Maybe it depends on the type of star, but I've had serpent and brittle stars that have been out of the water for 5 and 10 minutes and had no issues when returned to the tank. We even find tiny serpent and brittle stars inside sponges washed up on the beach and out of the water for long periods of time that survive. To be honest, I know most sponges have this issue with being exposed to any air, but I've never heard anybody say that about serpent or brittle stars.

I look forward to doing some research and maybe learning something new.

Seems like that's what i keep on hearing. Not sure why Live Aquaria says not to take it out of the water.

 

[jmc1024]

:eek1:

I haven't found any brittle our serpent stars at my LFS. I thought they were a pretty common starfish. Any reason why no one ever has them. I am looking for a low priced hardy starfish, and from what I read I thought they would be a good fit. Anyone have any suggestions on a different inexpensive hardy starfish.

Live aquaria has them for $8 but unless you want other stuff wouldn't make sense due to shipping. If you do a inverts package you have to buy $75 to qualify for free shipping. That's what I'm doing but i need some other inverts anyhow.

 

[Betta132]

Brittles live in shallow water, and now and then one will find itself stranded near a tidal pool. In fact, I think most starfish are OK out of water for a brief time, as long as they stay at least mostly wet. You can probably just scoop it up in one hand, take it out of the bag quickly, and set it in the tank.

 

[Jeff4777]

I got 5 sea stars that have all been exposed to air at one point. They are all FINE. Ranging from serpents/brittles to fromias