Question about the brittle starfish

Calireefer92 · Oct 9, 2018

hey reefers question about the brittle starfish.
The first question is. Is it normal for them to hide in the rocks. Second question what other types of food can I feed them other than the food that falls to the bottom and the detritus. I would appreciate the help thanks and happy reefing

OneReef · Oct 9, 2018

Yes, they hide in rocks. If you feel like feeding supplemental, you can give them pieces of mysis or krill

LBCoralGuy · Oct 9, 2018

+1. They always hide in the rocks. They can eat anything from sinking pellets, to krill, to squid

norfolkgarden · Oct 10, 2018

They will still live at the edge of the rocks but after 6 months of nothing trying to eat them, ours will come out and hang out at the edge 24/7 and climb the rocks during feeding.

Only 3 of the 8 are seldom seen.
Of course that includes the brilliant Orange and white banded one.... We see that about once every 3 months.

ccoffel81 · Oct 10, 2018

yes I have six they all hide in the rock until I put in their food. The race is on at that point. They love these clams but they’re large. Some bigger than dinner plates. Will take pictures if I can get out of hiding with lights on. Fancy Tonga.

ccoffel81 · Oct 10, 2018

trying to get my fancy brittle out

ca1ore · Oct 10, 2018

There are lots of different species of brittle and serpent stars. I have a few big ones in my tank and hundreds of small ones. They're scavengers, and the population of small ones adjusts to the available food. I see no need to target feed them unless you have no fish or starving ones.

cracker · Oct 10, 2018

I had a brown ,white banded legs. I'd feed it a little piece of shrimp & it wold stand up like an umbrella to keep off the fish trying to steal the food. that red one is very cool.
They do hide until food is involved.

ccoffel81 · Oct 13, 2018

norfolkgarden · Oct 13, 2018

ccoffel81 said:

Beautiful serpents! Nice find!

ccoffel81 · Oct 14, 2018

norfolkgarden said:
Beautiful serpents! Nice find!

Thanks

LBCoralGuy · Oct 20, 2018

norfolkgarden said:
They will still live at the edge of the rocks but after 6 months of nothing trying to eat them, ours will come out and hang out at the edge 24/7 and climb the rocks during feeding.

Only 3 of the 8 are seldom seen.
Of course that includes the brilliant Orange and white banded one.... We see that about once every 3 months.

Nice orange/red! I have one as well. Very hard to find for sale!

ccoffel81 · Oct 21, 2018

norfolkgarden · Oct 21, 2018

ccoffel81 said:

Nice!

How big is the big one?

ccoffel81 · Oct 21, 2018

norfolkgarden said:
Nice!

How big is the big one?

Little bigger than a Morgan silver dollar just the center

norfolkgarden · Oct 21, 2018

ccoffel81 said:
Little bigger than a Morgan silver dollar just the center

Lol, that is getting into small fish are dinner territory.

Definitely make sure some food drops down to them every time you feed.
[emoji4]

User1 · Oct 21, 2018

Calireefer92 said:
hey reefers question about the brittle starfish.
The first question is. Is it normal for them to hide in the rocks. Second question what other types of food can I feed them other than the food that falls to the bottom and the detritus. I would appreciate the help thanks and happy reefing

I didn't really see what sort of brittle star you are asking about since there are many. I see lots of great answers here but wanted to say one in particular, green brittle starfish (Ophiarachna incrassate), will eat fish. Not only eat but hunt at night by raising above the sand bed on its legs pretending to be a cave or ledge that fish or creatures pass under. Once they are under the starfish will wrap it up and proceed with its happy meal leaving you wondering where waldo is...

They are opportunistic feeders for sure but also hunt. They get large, look nice, but hunt relentlessly. Just keep that in mind. Some of the others mentioned in the thread are not as aggressive but these guys are. I learned first hand after owning one for a while only to find things missing then watching the tank one night to see its antics.

ccoffel81 · Oct 21, 2018

norfolkgarden said:
Lol, that is getting into small fish are dinner territory.

Definitely make sure some food drops down to them every time you feed.
[emoji4]

Yeah I keep my frag tank fish less.

ccoffel81 · Oct 21, 2018

[QUOTE="saf1, post: 5258827, member: 93689"I see lots of great answers here but wanted to say one in particular, green brittle starfish (Ophiarachna incrassate)...

[/QUOTE]

Yes green brittle very bad guy. Will eat many fish, clams, flame scallops whatever it can grab.