Seastars and corals

[fishfanatic2]

What species of sea star does not damage coral? I have heard that chocolate chips eat them and I am looking for a sea star for my will-be reef. Are brittles okay? Thanks in advance!

 

[Joey French]

I have had one large green brittle eat a chromis that could have died before he ate him, but the jury is still out on that one. I love harlequin stars, I believe just about any seastars are safe, steer clear of chocolate chips, sand sifting tiger stars if you have a dsb, and large green brittles if you have fish, but other than that, you should be fine. And no crown of thorns... 8O
Joey

 

[DOGMAI]

I personaly have a red brittle and a green brittle. Each leg on the green brittle is 10" long. He is a big fool. I have had him for almost a year. I also have two sand sifters. I have never had a problem with any of these stars. The sand sifters are always in the sand and the brittles are always hiding in the rocks until feeding time. I used to have a chocolate chip but he kept sitting on top of my corals so i booted his ass to the other tank.

 

[Anonymous]

The green brittles are known for their predatory nature. Get any other "color" (species, sorry, can't name the species for you at the moment) other than green in the brittle mode and you'll be golden. Other than that, go for SERPENT STARS! I've got a piccie of a red serpent as my wallpaper, and I've decided that it would also make a great tattoo...nothing to do with tanks, but everything to do with beauty, eh?

Yeah, so, a very rough, general rule of thumb is if it's knobbly/bumpy, stay away from it, if it's smooth (as echinoderms go, doncha know) it should be cool.

Other than THAT, be sure to watch water parameters, as sea stars can be on the delicate side.

 

[fishfanatic2]

I was looking at an African star ( Tan with red little points sticking out-not a crown of thorns) at my LFS. Would these be good?