Thick Legged Reef Safe Starfish For 40G?

[BigEZ77]

I would like to add a starfish but don't want a thin legged serpent or brittle. Also not a sand sifter...I understand they'll starve in a tank my size. Been looking at the Red Linckia (doesn't grow nearly as large as the others) or a Fromia. Is this doable in a tank my size?

Thanks,

 

[Sk8r]

Not really, sorry to say. Starfish just aren't in the cards, in general: they're too rough in a closed system. WE have far better luck with urchins.

 

[gunther13mt]

I have a sand shifting sea star that ive had almost as long as my tank cycles been done he does great and has growin quite a bit

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[BigEZ77]

Not really, sorry to say. Starfish just aren't in the cards, in general: they're too rough in a closed system. WE have far better luck with urchins.

In that case, what about the brittle or serpent ones?

 

[Animagus]

Food is kind of the problem here IME. Fromia, Linckia are prone to starving sometimes. Those Brittle stars might eat that leftover stuff..

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




I rehomed this one to a much larger tank btw.

 

[BigEZ77]

Very nice. Sure would like to have one as thick and colorful.

 

[Animagus]

Me too... Giving it to somebody else was the best option though. (impulse by) I hope it's still trucking...

 

[Ron Reefman]

Serpent and brittle stars are fairly easy to keep in a mature tank of 40g or more. They do find food on their own and if hungry, when you feed the tank, they will come out from under the rocks and let you know they are hungry. I have 7 or 8 in my 4 tanks and one is all of 7 or 8 years old!

 

[jason2459]

KP Aquatics common starfish. It seems rather reef safe and so far hardy. You'll have to get on the watch list and snatch them up as soon as they become available as they go pretty quick.

 

[formsix]

I have had 2 serpents and 1 brittle in my 75g tank for 2 years now and they are awesome. They hide under the rocks when the lights are out, except that when I feed the tank they quickly come out for food. Two of them will even wrap their arms around the pipette and let me target feed them mysis. I know they're not the same as the bright colored ones that stay out all the time, but they are pretty awesome in their own right.

 

[Sweitz1972]

Brittle stars are great. I have two in my 55 gallon, one red and one black. Awesome part of the clean up crew.

 

[BigEZ77]

Looks like I'll be going with one of those types. Thx

 

[Salty150]

I guess I am confused...

Why can't you have them?

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497+528+578&pcatid=578

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497+528+2133&pcatid=2133

 

[heathlindner25]

Because they die easily.

 

[Salty150]

Because they die easily.

If not feed, correct?

 

[jason2459]

If not feed, correct?

The problem will be how are they feed correctly.

 

[Salty150]

The problem will be how are the feed correctly.

You usually feed them twice a week by putting a small piece of mussel or clam or whatever about 1/2 inch from them (or in their path) and they usually find it and eat it.

No?

 

[LuizW13]

Man those other types of stars are so creepy looking :hmm2:

 

[jason2459]

You usually feed them twice a week by putting a small piece of mussel or clam or whatever about 1/2 inch from them (or in their path) and they usually find it and eat it.

No?

Some have tried that.

 

[Salty150]

man those other types of stars are so creepy looking :hmm2:

lol +1