SabrinaJean
New member
I got a green brittle star for my boyfriend who will be here tomorrow. Do these stars really eat fish, ect.? WB i'm just wondering what u think. I hope no one dies tonight.
who has a green brittle star? And have u seen them eat fish?
- Thread starter SabrinaJean
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charlesr1958
New member
Yes, if given the chance they will capture a fish and eat it. I see a great many of these starfish when I am out on the macroalgae reef flats. During my study/searches I lift up rocks and see a good many cardinal fish hiding, yet those rocks that have these starfish never have any type of fish. I have also gone out with a handfull of dead fish to feed larger fish and while passing through those shallows, if I stopped and used that hand to steady myself while looking at something, in a matter of seconds all the nearby "green" starfish would literaly come running and mob my hand trying to take the fish. These starfish are not what I would call reef safe.
Chuck
Chuck
I will agree with Chuck. I had one years ago, once it got above about an inch in diameter body size it began actively hunting fish. It would arch the body over an opening it knew fish would go through, and make a tube with its arms, then try to grab fish that swam through the tube.
They make a good sump cleaner if you want to keep it, but it would be a risk with your fish longterm.
They make a good sump cleaner if you want to keep it, but it would be a risk with your fish longterm.
greenbean36191
Premium Member
Yes, it's well documented in the hobby and scientific literature that O. incrassata is, at least occasionally, a piscivore.
eyesinthedrk
New member
i have a green brittle in my tank. believe it or not, he is sharing a hole under a large live rock with one of my zebra dart fish, they have been room mates for about 2 weeks now. when i feed meaty items to my fish i always make sure to hand him a piece or two. when i go a few days with out a meaty chunk i'll drop a few shrimp pellets by his hole. a hungry brittle with a sick fish maybe a bad ombo but my well fed brittle with healthy fish is going good so far
greenbean36191
Premium Member
[welcome]
Unfortunately, it's only a matter of time. For most brittle stars, regular feeding will prevent them from going hunting, but for some reason, O. incrassata will still go hunting even if it's being fed. I think sharing a sleeping place is just a prelude to the loss of your dart fish. These guys are nocturnal hunters and they wait for fish to swim under them at night and then drop down on them like a net. They don't need a sick fish to be successful.
Unfortunately, it's only a matter of time. For most brittle stars, regular feeding will prevent them from going hunting, but for some reason, O. incrassata will still go hunting even if it's being fed. I think sharing a sleeping place is just a prelude to the loss of your dart fish. These guys are nocturnal hunters and they wait for fish to swim under them at night and then drop down on them like a net. They don't need a sick fish to be successful.
Flightpipe
Sea Turtles Love Me......
I fed my banded serpent star and he still ate 2 chromis and my peppermint shrimp. I fed him twice a week too! Back to the LFS he went!
