Starfish Question

[nagem]

Hi, everybody

I have a question about starfish.

I have a 65 gallon display with a 20 gallon sump/fuge. There is approximately 75 pounds of lr in the display and about 5 pounds of lr in the sump/fuge. In addition to that, I have a three inch deep sand bed in the display. I've got some lps and softies in the display, and two false percula, one blue damsel, and a lawnmower blenny. There is also a clean-up crew in there as well (which consists of blue-legged hermits and various snails). My tank has been set up for over a year now.


I wanted to get some information/opinions on starfish. Because I have corals in my tank, I know that many starfish are out of the question. I also know that the blue linckia is much too fragile and grows too large to even consider putting in my tank. But what about the burgundy linckia? Is it more suitable, or does it have the same problems?

I guess my final question would be is there any starfish that would be suitable for my tank? I only want to get something if it will be able to thrive.

 

[cloak]

Here's a couple good articles.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/ac/feature/index.php

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-12/rs/index.php

 

[E.intheC]

black brittles are great starfish. I have a burgundy serpent and it's doing great in my tank

 

[philter4]

There are several speices of serpent stars that are very attractive and reef safe. My favorite are red serpent stars and harlequin stars. Both of these are colorful, the red being a beautiful bright red and the harlequin being green and yellow or red and yellow with an army man camoflage pattern to it, Both are peaceful, will not bother healthy fish or inverts, will eat any meaty food you feed them and scavange uneaten foods in the tank. The only negative I can say about either one is they are very shy and nocternal, so I rarely see mine, except if there is food in the tank.

 

[nagem]

Thank you all for your advice.

I enjoy doing a great deal of research before any purchase, starting with researching the actual organism I am interested in and finishing by finding a reputable place from which to make my purchase.

The Internet is such a great resource. I now have many new avenues to investigate.

 

[finsurgeon]

I recommend the "Elegant Brittle Star", Ophiomastix variabilis.

I have 3, along with many other serpents, brittles, a blue linkia, and a couple orange knobbies. The elegants are always out and on top of the rocks, while my harlequin serpents, red serpents, and most of the others are hard to find most of the time. They're hardy, too - I've acquired them over 3 years, and never a sign of ill-health. Here's some pix: http://www.poppe-images.com/images/...=brittle stars&species=Ophiomastix variabilis
Get one if you can find one.