Starfish Recommendations?

[Sheldon337]

Hi guys,

Im looking to get a starfish. I want something that will thrive in my tank.

I have a 55g, with a 20g sump. Set up for four about years.

Any recommendations?

Lee

 

[shiveley]

well, without any tank specifics this is an almost impossible question to answer...but that never stopped me before, so: I recommend an orange serpent star.

 

[philter4]

I think we are talking about the same star, but I have always called the red serpent stars from the atlantic and beautiful.

 

[edsimmons]

I'd say any Serpent or brittle star would be cool.

 

[bored4long]

would either compete with a wrasse or mandarin for copepods?

 

[philter4]

Shouldn't, most brittle or serpent stars are scavengers or detritovores. Just make sure they get the food they need, I feed frozen and dried foods that makes it to the bottom. I have seen large serpents try to eat a dead fish, but never even try to go after anything healthy, fish, copepod or otherwise.

 

[reefdragon1086]

how about patrick on sponge bob square pants... sorry had to put that one in...lol

 

[kevin95695]

Stay away from the green death star. I've heard bad things about other stars too, except serpents, brittles (ex-green death), and spotted linckia are supposed to be OK too.

Our serpent star whips around like a monkey on speed at feedin' time and our spotted linckia has been browsing who knows what in our tank for +/-8 months now.

 

[KMP]

stars w/bumps like the chocolate chip stars are not reef safe.

 

[robertloop]

A freind of mine has serpent star. I has grown big and nasty over the years. It even makes "attempts" at live fish at times. Ok well.... maybe it's not "nasty" but it is big and gives me the creeps. I vote sand star. :lol:

 

[bladeruner143]

I would also vote brittle star. Its pretty cool to try to see them grab at food floating in the water during feeding time!

 

[bladeruner143]

I would also vote brittle star. Its pretty cool to try to see them grab at food floating in the water during feeding time! The only problem is that you will probably never see it because they are nocturnal i believe. The only thing you might see during the day is a little brittle arm hanging out of a rock!

 

[MrMikeB]

Stars stars stars! Given your tank is established, I would go for a purple Linckia or something similar. They are lovely creatures, and you actually see them. Finding a healthy specimen is a little tough but I know John at Your Reef gets them from time to time. They eat a small invisible micro algae found on your LR, so feeding is not necessary.

 

[mpoletti]

I have a blue linkia, red serpents, and a green banded serpent; all I would recommend.

 

[shiveley]

I'm curious about the linkias; I had always heard that they were difficult to maintain due to the "fact" that they were not true detrivores. Is feeding and long-term husbandry an issue with these guys? I've only had serpent and brittle stars, so I have no first-hand experience with linkias and have always found them interesting.

 

[MrMikeB]

Little is actually known about what they eat, but the general consensus is that the Linckia family canvas live rock and eat an invisible micro-algae of sorts that can be found on it. This algae starts showing up around 6 months or more in a well taken care of system. I have had great success with Linckias with an established system. I think the key, as this should be no suprise, is proper collection and extremely maticulous acclimation steps (like 4 hour drip) as they are very sensitive to salinity shifts. Also, you would do well to never expose them to air.

 

[mpoletti]

I have had my Blue linkia well over a year and change. I had better luck with him than with a sand sifter. When I upgrade larger, I will definitely try to find a cool purple one as well.

 

[Matt_Wandell]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11142968#post11142968 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MrMikeB
Little is actually known about what they eat, but the general consensus is that the Linckia family canvas live rock and eat an invisible micro-algae of sorts that can be found on it. This algae starts showing up around 6 months or more in a well taken care of system. I have had great success with Linckias with an established system. I think the key, as this should be no suprise, is proper collection and extremely maticulous acclimation steps (like 4 hour drip) as they are very sensitive to salinity shifts. Also, you would do well to never expose them to air.

Ditto. I find it easier to measure the salinity of the bag water and just adjust the tank to it, rather than the bag to the tank. Within reason, of course. And it should still be drip acclimated over a looooooong period of time.

 

[Sheldon337]

I am glad to hear success with linkias, i too had heard advice that caution should be taken with them as their success rate is not very good.

FYI:

I have a mixed reef.

I am getting rid of my sand sifting starfish, because a few months ago i got a diamond goby and since then my sandstar has been getting smaller. Its time.

Lee