starfish, good idea or bad idea?

[lilyep125]

I have a 55g reef tank that is about 6 months old with 70lb LR and LS. I have several soft corals, a pair of clowns and a wrasse. I have always wanted a starfish but have heard that they are hard to keep. Is my tank too new to have one? Is there a hardier species anyone could recommend?

 

[billdogg]

I really like serpant stars. They are very hardy and can move quite quickly at feeding time. Fun to watch

 

[Rob6311]

Well the only advice I have on this topic is do your research ask your LFS and if you think you can handle it's needs then go for it just make sure the one you get is reef safe because I know some aren't

 

[Sk8r]

Most starfish either eat what you wish they wouldn't---like your corals---or wither and die because they eat film off aged rock. There is a sandsifting star, but again---it needs a huge tank and a lot of sand to sift.

 

[snorvich]

Most starfish either eat what you wish they wouldn't---like your corals---or wither and die because they eat film off aged rock. There is a sandsifting star, but again---it needs a huge tank and a lot of sand to sift.

Exactly. Most people who try to keep starfish find them withering away over time.

 

[mcgyvr]

I've got a black bristle star that came into my tank as a baby and is now easily 14+ inches across.. It really doesn't do anything though other than hide in the hole it dug under my rocks and it just sticks its legs out every once in a while to pass food to its mouth..

 

[AdamD76]

I've had a serpent star for about 8 months now and he seems to be doing just fine.
he just hangs around under the rocks with his legs hanging out. I give him some mysis shrimp once in a while. BC29