Red Chocolate Chip Starfish

[KPeterson]

I just woke up this morning to find that my starfish is eating my turbo snail. I was not made aware that it would eat these when I bought them, but my question is that I've read that if the snail was sick or dying, then the starfish will die also.. Is there any truth to this? Should I take the other snail out?

 

[ChrisRD]

Hi and :welcome:

Sounds like a myth to me as these types of starfish generally prey on anything they can catch (which often includes dead, weak or dieing animals). Any sessile or slow-moving creatures in your tank are at risk as they are potential food items for the star. Hopefully this system is not a reef tank...

 

[KPeterson]

Thanks for your input. This system was going to be a reef tank but I have decided that it is too small (20 gallons) and have only a few damsels and live rock, etc. I have not put any coral in there b/c of mr. starfish. I am just learning all of this and am very excited to start these tanks but not about all of the expenses!!! Also one more question, Do you know how long it takes a starfish to eat the snail or know of a website that might be able to answer this question? I've been trying to do some research on this particular animal and have been fairly unsuccessful at trying to find some information! Thanks for all your help.

 

[ChrisRD]

I've always avoided these types of starfish so I can't say much about how long it would take to consume the snail. Maybe someone who's got some direct experience with them can chime in...

 

[gatorracer]

My brown and black chocolate chip ate a palm sized leather in one night. :x Of course he got booted to the inlet of the refegium now he just eats stuff off the glass.

 

[KPeterson]

I never knew a thing about saltwater aquariums at first and then I got that starfish, and at first he was eating off of the glass..until this morning..lol. Anyhow, I guess you just learn as you go!! No one wants you to know what the critters are really like at the pet store, they just want you to buy them.

 

[Anonymous]

And that is exactly why you should "Research" everything before buying!

There is a wealth of knowledge here, you just have to be willing to find it. AA is an online mag. with tons of info, as well as in the stickys at the top of this forum. Don't be afraid to ask questions and read, read and read some more.

 

[KPeterson]

This site does have alot of info... thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. You know the more research I do, I find that I am VERY glad that I have bought things for my tank even without knowing a wealth of info about them, because it makes things alot more interesting.. What turned out to be a fishtank for my two young sons has actually turned into a hobby that I will now have for life.

 

[SnowManSnow]

chances are the ppl at the LFS don't really know what behaviors the animal will exhibit anyway (I know this is a generalization... but it IS GENERALLY true).

b

 

[KPeterson]

That's very true..I think only some of them really know what they are talking about. I don't know about you but, my tank is a success in my eyes and I really don't care what anyone else says. My animals are all alive in it, and it's beautiful to me.

 

[allwriteu]

How do I know if my starfish (choc chip) Im new to salt water tanks. Help!!!

 

[ChrisRD]

Not sure I follow. Are you trying to figure out what kind of star you have?

BTW, :welcome:

 

[shavo]

go to google and type in chocolate chip starfish and compare