Chocolate Star fish

[JD'sReef]

So I got him a while back I from the petco (my mom got him, don't ask). He has been real good other then the destruction of some things. However the other day he at a small soft coral, like a little mushroom. Some other corals small frags never made it in my tank either (star polyps) and I am woundering if he is eating them. I never would have though but since I saw him the other day, now I am pointing the finger.
I want more star polys but don't want to risk it...
Any ideas

 

[Len]

Ya, this species is known to eat corals. I'd remove him before adding any other corals. Starfish in general aren't the best things for beginners.

 

[Rlumenator]

Sand sifting stars are great, also red serpent stars. I have (3) of the sand sifters, and (1) red serpent (Scarlett O'Hara)- she's 8"+. All peaceful and nondestructive. Good luck.

 

[JD'sReef]

So I found the little #@#@ last night in my Brand New BTA and I was pretty pissed. I think it is time for him to go, but I really like him. GRRRRRRR
I guess I will look into a different star and put him in and new tank.
I will look into some of them and ask which will best suite me. It is a 46 bow reef tank, any sugestions?
Thanks
J.

 

[Wiggler]

Sandsifters are great as are red stars and the serpents

 

[JD'sReef]

Hummmmm
A red star night be a nice addition.

 

[Anonymous]

I have had mine for over a year and nothing has ever been destroyed....he is a well "behaved" starfish...I consider myself very lucky!

 

[Anonymous]

Sandsifting stars are generally considered to be damaging to a sand bed because they will wipe out most of the critters living there.

Serpents stars are great, and brittle stars are as well. The big greenish brittle that is frequently sold is a notorious fish eater however.

The trickiest part is the acclimation, and even if you do it right, chances are the LFS who's tank you buy it from didn't. So, proceed with caution.

 

[Rlumenator]

I've never read that about sand sifters. What book is your source for this? Thank you. Dawn.

 

[Wiggler]

I haven't read that either, I have a sandsifter in my tank and he does a wonderful job and is fun to watch, he hasn't damaged anything that I can tell/see.

 

[Anonymous]

Check out the quote from Rob Toonen in Matt's post. I consider Rob a pretty good authority on invertebrates. Dr. Ron also is against sand sifters, and I frequently see them cited as damaging to sand bed critters. I personally have never kept one, though.

http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t ... andsifting

If you do a search for sandsifting you will find plenty of opinions, including people who say they keep them just fine....

 

[Rlumenator]

That was very interesting reading! I have (3) sandsifters, a red serpent star, and a Rianford's gogy, who is a constant sifter. I personally have no problem with them, and find them to be beneficial to the tank. I have lots of the tiny feather dusters that live in the sand bed, and they are left totally alone. I'll keep mine as long as I have no problems. Dawn.