Questions about Starfish

[Eelzor]

I have seen that some brittlestars are carnivorous and shouldn't be kept with other small invertabrates as they can corner them and eat them. However normal starfish seem to be more peaceful.

Can someone explain for pros & cons for Brittlestars and Normal Starfish?

tnx.

 

[Navarre]

brittlestars are great for scavenging and are usually no trouble in a tank. however, keep clear of green brittlestars as they are known fish catchers.

Linka starfish are readily sold but have poor aclimatisation rates. You can add a linka starfish and it will appear fine for 6 months then suddenly die and this is thought to be down to poor aclimatisation.

If you want a hardy starfish then i recomend a sandsifter. they are very good cleaners and extremly hardy. I would wait for a good 4-6 months before adding one of these though as they predate on life in the sand and with a new tank then food will be scarce.

 

[Mr Miagi]

hey nav, what about some cowries? Have u heard of em? They are like little snails that cruise under the surface of the sand. Would they be Ok in a SW tank?

Sorry i hyjacked your thread eelzor

 

[Navarre]

Cowries arent tiny! they get very large eventually.. nicew though. i would rather recomend a fighting conche or similar type. theyare reef safe and great cleaners.

 

[Mr Miagi]

cheers Nav! Yeah, i knew they grew quite large, but with a biggerish enough tank i may give them a go! They sound like a fun project!

EDIT: maybe in a large enough sump..........benny gets an idea......

 

[Navarre]

Be warned, cowries will eat corals and anemones when they get larger.


OK sorry for hijacking the thread, hopefull we can get back on subject.

 

[Eelzor]

What about a Vermillion Starfish? aka. biscuit starfish or biscuit sea star. It's the one in my avatar. They seem to reach a maximum width of 5cm so its nice, small, peaceful, but hardy? Help me on that one.

 

[Opcn]

Why not get one of the more peaceful brittle or serpent stars, Sand sfters can sterilise a live sand bed pretty well, leaving little food for your fish, also there are quite a few snails that will burrow into the substrate and eat refuse.

 

[Eelzor]

Why not get one of the more peaceful brittle or serpent stars, Sand sfters can sterilise a live sand bed pretty well, leaving little food for your fish, also there are quite a few snails that will burrow into the substrate and eat refuse.

I think I might just do that opcn. From my research, brittlestars seem to be hardy as well and are decent cleaners.

My List is

2xSnails
2xHermits
1xBrittlestar
1xShrimp(unsure)

for a 6g, is it enough, can i have more?

 

[Opcn]

are you planing on keeping a single small fish in there?

 

[Eelzor]

I did not plan to put any fish in there - why? - could I?

 

[Opcn]

A perc maybe, a single shrimp wont be terribly interesting IMO.

 

[Mr Miagi]

The fish would also add waste products and help feed the food for your other criters.

 

[Malawiandude]

u were talkin about sandsifters, i am needing something to stir my sand way more, there is no way to target feed these guys? I am looking for something for my 10g tank, i will be keeping shrooms, GSP's, and pulsing xenia.

 

[Eelzor]

u were talkin about sandsifters, i am needing something to stir my sand way more, there is no way to target feed these guys? I am looking for something for my 10g tank, i will be keeping shrooms, GSP's, and pulsing xenia.

Do you mean something to stir the sand well? I would have to say sand sifters and brittlestars are you best shot. There are also some snails that can do a very good job at sand stirring - I forgot the name though.