Came home to find the problem. In the last few months I have lost a small sailfin and a damsel. Today I see my fire angle is missing. As I search the tank I find my brittle sea star is hidding behind a rock and eating him. Not happy at all as it was one of my fav fish.
Disapearing fish
- Thread starter cane
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melypr1985
totally addicted
Just curious... is it one of those really large green brittle stars? I've heard they are very predatory of fish whereas the smaller brittle and serpent stars would only (usually) take advantage of a freshly dead fish. I could be totally off base here, just looking to learn something new today. 
melypr1985
totally addicted
That looks a lot like the big ones that are predatory and not reef safe. They get huge and will actually attack fish. Let me see if I can find some info on it for you and you can see if that's what it is.
melypr1985
totally addicted
Yes large green serpent stars will hunt and eat sleeping fish, they get lucky once and it becomes a learned behavior. Re-home the brittle and your fish mysteries will probably stop.
^^Agree. I actually once witnessed a large green serpent take down a goby that didn't move fast enough. Put that starfish in your sump for detritus removal, if all your pump intakes are covered.
SantaMonicaHelp
Valuable Member
Sorry about your fish but at least now you know you have a predatory starfish.
-Sal
-Sal
Bbaz123456
Active Member
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Wow! I was just about to tell you, there was no way your brittle star killed your fish...I stand corrected. I kept one for many years and he grew over 24" and I never once witnessed him Eating a fish.
I guess they must survive in the wild somehow when they are not getting regular feedings of frozen chopped seafood
I guess they must survive in the wild somehow when they are not getting regular feedings of frozen chopped seafood
Cleo642
2500 Club Member
Still not use to your avatar. Lol
There used to be a video of a Green Serpent Star capturing a sleeping fish. Wish I could find it again.
Green Serpents are usually the culprit, but I have heard of Banded Serpent doing so as well.
Green Serpents are usually the culprit, but I have heard of Banded Serpent doing so as well.
Patientman
Well-Known Member
If not re-homed ... maybe a good resident for the sump ... free up your quarantine tank for more NEW fish!
