Starfih being attacked by Brittle star

[DaFrog]

Spooky...

My concern - If it starts attacking other beings, should I remove it?

 

[Sea Turtle]

the pictues don;t really tell the story. Is it just on top of it? Maybe they are mating? I don't see any destruction going on. Is it killing or harming it? I think maybe he is just a dominant male. Sorry, don't know much about star fish. Had a couple but didn;t last. I think that in general they are reef safe creatures.

 

[DaFrog]

The starfish lost 1/4 inch of one leg during the encounter...

 

[Anonymous]

Brittle stars are evil. :twisted:

You have to decide if you want to keep the brittle star in your tank. Understand that it may, at any time, attack any of your tank inhabitants.

I've had a green brittle star for the past 8 years. It quickly eats any new fish I put in my tank. I've also been unable to keep any shrimp in my tank (expensive snacks). Unfortunately, my kids love this green monster and refuse to let me get rid of it. It is kind of cool.

 

[Anonymous]

Mitchell, I think this is the second time I've said this, but you do have a way with a camera. What model do you use?

Oh, and yes, starfish are unpredictable. They're effectively omnivores, so there are very few that could really be considered completely reef safe.

 

[dirtysumpguy]

Mitchell,

I think it's time you told the kids it's just "hiding" under the rocks while you take it to the LFS and trade it in/donate it!

dirty

 

[Sea Turtle]

Wow, never would have thunked. I always thought they were chill. I was going to buy one of those at one point. Glad I didn;t.

 

[Anonymous]

Mitchell, I think this is the second time I've said this, but you do have a way with a camera. What model do you use?

Oh, and yes, starfish are unpredictable. They're effectively omnivores, so there are very few that could really be considered completely reef safe.

Thanks, Tom. I think this photo was shot with my trusty old Nikon D2Xs.

 

[Anonymous]

Mitchell,

I think it's time you told the kids it's just "hiding" under the rocks while you take it to the LFS and trade it in/donate it!

dirty

My kids are way too savy for that. My LFS is probably smart enough to not take this beast.

 

[Anonymous]

Why not set up a 10 gallon tank in their room with just the starfish? Then they could feed it and you'd have it out of your tank.

Peace,

Chip

 

[Anonymous]

Why not set up a 10 gallon tank in their room with just the starfish? Then they could feed it and you'd have it out of your tank.

Peace,

Chip

Interesting thought, Chip. I'm just not too sure I'm up for caring for a second tank.

 

[Anonymous]

Maybe in a fuge?

 

[Anonymous]

Maybe in a fuge?

Good thought, Tom, but i don't have a refugium. Just a sump with a skimmer in it.

 

[Anonymous]

Interesting thought, Chip. I'm just not too sure I'm up for caring for a second tank.

10 gallon tank with a small heater, filter, and some sand/rock from your tank or sump/fuge.

What's to care for?

Peace,

Chip

 

[Anonymous]

Yep. Them brittle stars are really neat looking. But too many of my fish simply disappeared with it around.