Star fish

[Tanglover531]

Hi guys (and those girl reefers) I have a 75g tank no coral and I want to keep some stars, what typs would be some good ones. Oh and I can keep more than one star in a tank right?
(I hear that serpent stars eat fish so don't want those)

 

[alf1096]

If you are not gonna keep coral look at a chocolate chip

 

[albano]

(I hear that serpent stars eat fish so don't want those)

I've never had problems with my serpent stars...but green brittle stars are a problem

 

[wildcountrykid]

I also never had problems with my serpent star (mine is nearly a foot in diameter). as long as you keep it feed every 2 to 4 days (i feed my freeze dry krill) it is not likely to go for any fish. if you don't want a serpent you could try a Fromia or a Linckia but they are hard to keep (fromia are easier then linckia I believe). if you don't plan to keep any corals in the future, a chocolate chip or a Red Knob star fish are very easy to keep. don't get a Sand Sifting Sea Star they will eat all the critters in your sand then starve. As for keeping more then one I think you can.

 

[LCDR Noble]

my sand sifting stars do a good job keeping the sand looking fresh even though most of the time they stay hidden under the sand.

 

[wildcountrykid]

my sand sifting stars do a good job keeping the sand looking fresh even though most of the time they stay hidden under the sand.

well i hear people say that they will starve. do you have a deep sand bed? I see your tank is pretty large too. i think they don't do well in smaller systems.

 

[saltyair]

Imo sand sifting stars should only be added to 1yr + and minimum 180gal
Other than fish only stars, serpent stars and brittle stars all others are challenging bc we are not sure what food they need to live

well i hear people say that they will starve. do you have a deep sand bed? I see your tank is pretty large too. i think they don't do well in smaller systems.

 

[shesacharmer]

I've been watching my Brittle Star reach out and take pieces of Mysis Shrimp and also Omega One Marine Veggie Formula. That comes in frozen cubes with a gel like consistency so it doesn't fall apart so easily. I cut it in pieces before dropping it in the tank.

 

[albano]

Imo sand sifting stars should only be added to 1yr + and minimum 180gal

+1... If at all!

 

[wildcountrykid]

Imo sand sifting stars should only be added to 1yr + and minimum 180gal
Other than fish only stars, serpent stars and brittle stars all others are challenging bc we are not sure what food they need to live

I agree about the sand shifter but (I may be wrong) chocolate chip starfish are easy to care for (they eat algae and meaty food) just not reef safe. I also thought a lot of starfish are hard to care for because they are very sensitive and very hard to acclimate.

 

[formsix]

My brittle and serpents eat chunks of whatever comes their way in my tank. I target feed them and they wrap their tentacles (er, arms) around the food, the turkey baster, and whatever they can get. Kinda interesting critters. The brittle was more shy than the serpents, but figured out where the food comes from within a few weeks. My brittle is a reddish color -- rather attractive actually, but does stay hidden more than the serpents.

I'd be wary of the starfish that don't eat meaty foods in all but the largest and most mature of tanks. Sounds like the success rate isn't so good. Plus, it's fun to watch these critters eat!!

 

[rale2001]

I had a choc chip start in my tank full of softies but i dont know if i'd risk one in my tank with zoas and lps but i do think there is a brittle hitchhiker hiding in the middle of my zoa rock i cant seem to get him out though every once in a while i'll see two legs stick out through the cracks... strange

 

[snorvich]

+1... If at all!

+2 Not at all. they will not survive long term.

 

[Tanglover531]

Random question, how do you tell if there dying or dead

 

[Kdadair]

I saw a small brittle star that hitched a ride in on some live rock. Haven't seen him since the first week or so of the aquarium's first set up. Not sure if he survived. If I see him again is he safe? Looked to be a very small rusty brown and white.

 

[Dmorty217]

Random question, how do you tell if there dying or dead

Sand sifting stars will look like a arm just exploded on the end to start then the rest of the arms follow. Serpents and brittles I'm not sure since I've never seen one die

 

[wildcountrykid]

Random question, how do you tell if there dying or dead

with a lot of starfish (including brittles and serpents) they start to fall apart and dissolve.

 

[snorvich]

with a lot of starfish (including brittles and serpents) they start to fall apart and dissolve.

Yes, falling apart is a very accurate way of describing their demise.

 

[ALH]

I, sadly, had the same experience with a sand sifter.

 

[robotman]

Hi guys (and those girl reefers) I have a 75g tank no coral and I want to keep some stars, what typs would be some good ones. Oh and I can keep more than one star in a tank right?
(I hear that serpent stars eat fish so don't want those)

I saw a small brittle star that hitched a ride in on some live rock. Haven't seen him since the first week or so of the aquarium's first set up. Not sure if he survived. If I see him again is he safe? Looked to be a very small rusty brown and white.

my 2 green serpent stars have been in my tank for almost a year now no problem.

@kdadair yes they are safe and very beneficial if you have 1 you probably have more.