Completely Reef Safe Brittle Serpent Or Basket Star?

[RoyalGrammaPrincessHannah]

Ive read different things and want some opinions on if there really is a reef safe brittle star that is hardy [or moderately hardy].

 

[Navarre]

Most are hardy but i wold advise keeping clear of hte green brittlestars. They are known predators of fish.

 

[RoyalGrammaPrincessHannah]

Yes Ive heard horror stories about them. Are there any specific species that you know of that are beneficial to a reef tank?

 

[Navarre]

They are all fantastic scavengers. I have seen blacks and oranges in many reef tanks and their owners love em. They are excellant for reaching into and under rock crevaces that no snail or hermit could reach.

 

[bunjiweb]

Brittle stars are great and the blacks are certainly one of my favourite stars, however be aware that they can reach about 16" in diameter even in an aquarium, so not one for the smaller tank.

Basket Stars are utterly pointless to be kept in a tank, they nearly always die, and should be able to expand to their full size when mature of about a 24" x 24" basket!

Ben

 

[RoyalGrammaPrincessHannah]

Ok well I guess ill try to find some that stay the smallest. My tank is only 75 gallons.

 

[bunjiweb]

In a 75Gallon tank you could probably sustain a black or an orange brittle star, or a red or blue linkia starfish. Just make sure your tank is AT LEAST 6 months old before adding one, and make sure it wont be out-competed for food by other detrius scavengers.

Ben