Brittle Stars

[i cant think]

People who have owned this starfish, what have your experiences been?
- Fish/Coral/Invert Safe?
- Do they feed on leftovers and detritus?
- Would one be alright in a 3’x16”x1’ tank?
- What colour(s) are safest?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I assume you're asking about the regular sized ones...?

The minis will be fine.

 

[i cant think]

I assume you're asking about the regular sized ones...?

The minis will be fine.

Yeah, I mean the larger ones. My LFS has a striped serpent/brittle star in (I believe it’s a serpent but being sold as a brittle).

 

[kingoftheHiLLpeople]

Yeah, I mean the larger ones. My LFS has a striped serpent/brittle star in (I believe it’s a serpent but being sold as a brittle).

We had one at the LFS for the longest time - arms spread out it was about the size of a dinner plate. NOBODY wanted it so after awhile another employee took it home. Seemed really peaceful - was held with a clown pair and various other fish. Couldnt imagine it hurting/killing a healthy fish - its arms moved soooo slow.

 

[Tired]

Brittle stars should leave other animals alone, as long as they're fed well. You do have to make sure they get meaty foods, not just detritus.

Avoid green brittle stars, they're fish predators. They make a cave shape with their bodies, then, when a fish goes inside, they curl around it and digest it.

 

[WheatToast]

People who have owned this starfish, what have your experiences been?
- Fish/Coral/Invert Safe?
- Do they feed on leftovers and detritus?
- Would one be alright in a 3’x16”x1’ tank?
- What colour(s) are safest?

I have heard that all brittle and serpent stars are reef-safe detritivores/scavengers in aquaria (though I have heard reports that they may need supplemental feedings) besides the green brittle star (Ophiarachna incrassata), which is known to feed on sleeping fish and motile invertebrates; I have never heard of them eating coral. My brittle star (Ophiocoma sp.) and harlequin serpent star (Ophioderma sp.) have been model citizens in my 40-gallon breeder and readily consume flakes, pellets, and bits of frozen food. Starfish (Asteroidea) and brittle/serpent stars (Ophiuroidea) represent separate classes of echinoderms, though they are very similar in appearance.
Which species have you been considering?

 

[i cant think]

I have heard that all brittle and serpent stars are reef-safe detritivores/scavengers in aquaria (though I have heard reports that they may need supplemental feedings) besides the green brittle star (Ophiarachna incrassata), which is known to feed on sleeping fish and motile invertebrates; I have never heard of them eating coral. My brittle star (Ophiocoma sp.) and harlequin serpent star (Ophioderma sp.) have been model citizens in my 40-gallon breeder and readily consume flakes, pellets, and bits of frozen food. Starfish (Asteroidea) and brittle/serpent stars (Ophiuroidea) represent separate classes of echinoderms, though they are very similar in appearance.
Which species have you been considering?

I believe it’s the Harlequin serpent - I personally don’t mind which species I end up getting as long as it’s not a predator of small fish or going to annoy my SPS.
Small fish I own are;
- 3 Pseudocheilinops ataenia
- Discordipinna griessingeri
- 2 Wetmorella tanakai (in the future)

 

[i cant think]

Well, I went to the LFS and I’m coming home with a beautiful Serpent Star (The exact species I’m unsure about and would love it if you guys could give me an ID). I’ll get a photo when it’s in acclimation

 

[i cant think]

Here’s the Serpent, never seen anything quite like this patterning.

 

[i cant think]

A less blue photo of the star. Maybe a harlequin serpent?

 

[WheatToast]

I haven’t seen that patterning before, but searching up “harlequin serpent” on Google Images provides some similar results:

 

[i cant think]

I haven’t seen that patterning before, but searching up “harlequin serpent” on Google Images provides some similar results:

That’s my thoughts, the patterning are similar but none identical but as seen in the photo none of the harlequins have an identical pattern.

 

[Lavey29]

You should name him the Kracken

 

[i cant think]

You should name him the Kracken

This name is so funny to me for some reason so he is now called the Kracken

 

[Lavey29]

I'd love to have one but with sand sleepers no way. That guy looks like a nocturnal prowler.

 

[AydenLincoln]

He’s regrowing his little arm! Hopefully the little guy is okay. I’ve see stars without their arms or less arms at the fish store. It makes me sad because that’s not a good sign.

 

[i cant think]

I'd love to have one but with sand sleepers do way. That guy looks like a nocturnal prowler.

So far he’s hidden under the rock where my Yasha calls home (the yasha doesn’t appear too happy about it). I have a blue star leopard in the tank who hasn’t shown much care towards him and he hasn’t shown much care towards the other fish in the tank.

He’s regrowing his little arm! Hopefully the little guy is okay. I’ve see stars without their arms or less arms at the fish store. It makes me sad because that’s not a good sign.

I’m hoping in my tank it’s peaceful enough to have him not be harmed. So far all I have in terms of fish is;
- Pseudocheilinops ataenia x3
- Macropharyngodon bipartitus
- Stonogobiops yasha
- Gobiodon acicularis
- Discordipinna griessingeri

I plan to keep smaller fish but in numbers (pairs or trios) which is why I wasn’t too sure about going for a brittle/serpent but after reading more about the green being the only truly risky one I figured I could try one.

 

[Lavey29]

So far he’s hidden under the rock where my Yasha calls home (the yasha doesn’t appear too happy about it). I have a blue star leopard in the tank who hasn’t shown much care towards him and he hasn’t shown much care towards the other fish in the tank.

I’m hoping in my tank it’s peaceful enough to have him not be harmed. So far all I have in terms of fish is;
- Pseudocheilinops ataenia x3
- Macropharyngodon bipartitus
- Stonogobiops yasha
- Gobiodon acicularis
- Discordipinna griessingeri

I plan to keep smaller fish but in numbers (pairs or trios) which is why I wasn’t too sure about going for a brittle/serpent but after reading more about the green being the only truly risky one I figured I could try one.

I would guess some fish recognize him as a potential predator and will make adjustments. Nature has a way of balancing out and as long as he is getting a food source he won't go after small fish.

 

[mrpontiac80]

I love it! I have a harlequin serpent and it is a model citizen also. Except for feeding time I almost never see it though. Mine is white with green.

 

[lulubap]

He’s regrowing his little arm! Hopefully the little guy is okay. I’ve see stars without their arms or less arms at the fish store. It makes me sad because that’s not a good sign.

Are there a variety of things it could be a sign of? I ask because Id like to become better informed on starfish, and may be seeing missing arms at work.