Serpent Sea Star Behavior

[MamaZooKeeper]

I got a serpent sea star 3 days ago. I have not seen him since he went behind the rocks to hide. Is this normal? He was awesome to watch the first day then went behind the rocks and I cant see him. I read they are nocturnal but I haven't even see him at night. I know my chocolate chip sea star moves soooooo slow it seems hes almost dead as he doesn't get around the tank much at all. I am worried. What are the normal actions of these sea stars?
Thanks!:worried:

 

[MamaZooKeeper]

Anyone know anything about them? Today my chocolate chip is on the rocks hanging out so I know hes good....but the serpent is still behind the rocks. Hes in a place I cant get to him so I cant move him to find out if he is ok or not.
Thank you!

 

[Nina51]

they are, indeed, nocturnal although you can coax them out. if you know for sure where he's hiding (or if you can see a leg or even the end of a leg), put a pea-sized piece of raw shrimp on the end of a long wooden skewer (or a feeding stick, if you have one) and put the end right down where you think he is. he will very likely reach out, curl a leg around the shrimp and work it off the skewer and then move it to his mouth. i do this all the time because i target feed my serpent and brittle starfish.

 

[AirForceAquariu]

I have accidentally surprised my stars when I turned on the lights early (sometimes I need to feed early when I leave for work) and they will be up on a high rock or out on the sand bed and even a few times hanging on the overflow or a powerhead. Every time the swiftly vanish even dropping off of high things to float down to the sand and get under something.

I do target feed my brittle but only catch sight of the serpent a few times a month.

 

[MamaZooKeeper]

Boo lol. I like stuff I can see! He's cool though.

 

[Shawn O]

It may become more bold in time and come out at feeding time.

 

[Xxero]

Mine usually stays hidden inside of a rock with its leg tips sticking out. Whenever it's hungry and senses food, it will come out scrambling! As already mentioned, target feeding them with shrimp/squid bits helps a lot...the poor dears have no brain. :sad2:

 

[Ron Reefman]

They are inclined to hide under rocks. When we snorkel in the Florida Keys we find them hiding under rocks all the time.

I found this guy and couldn't resist collecting it. For the last 6 months it has been hanging out with the purple serpent star I've had for years. They come out sometimes at night and sometimes when I feed. If they come out when I feed, I make sure to get food to them. They have learned that when they know food is in the tank, get out to the front of the rock wall and you'll get fed!

 

[Shawn O]

Nice looking critter.

 

[MamaZooKeeper]

Thanks guys!!