Starfish eating anemone ??

alexandra26 · Mar 21, 2020

Hello all,

I have been noticing my small chocolate chip starfish going over top of my condylactis anemone. I have found it quite concerning, and I gently pull my starfish off of it every time I notice it going on. I have two other chocolate chip starfish, a red knobbed starfish and a serpent starfish. None of my other starfish have done something like this. Every time I pull the small star off of the anemone, its stomach is out... I feed my starfish every other day or everyday... it depends on if they beg me or not. None of them are starving, but my small chocolate chip can’t seem to stay away from it.

Is this normal? Is it eating my anemone? The anemone inflates after I pull the starfish off, but he looks odd. It doesn’t look normal, and I’m concerned.

Has anyone had the same issue?

homer1475 · Mar 21, 2020

You do realize they are not reef safe and will eat microfauna, corals, snails, and anything else that gets in their way?

Not sure if they will eat an anemone or not, but I would not trust them.

alexandra26 · Mar 21, 2020

I do not have corals or anything like that. It’s not a reef tank. I was aware that they weren’t reef safe when I purchased them. I have never heard of them eating an anemone... which is why I’m confused and concerned. I suppose they are just being scavengers, but this is quite odd to witness.

alexandra26 · Mar 21, 2020

I want to add that this is a recent occurrence. The starfish have been in the tank with the anemone for months, and this is happening all of a sudden.

Tiger Brown · Mar 21, 2020

The CC starfish is well known to eat just about anything that crosses its path. I have heard of them eating nems, coral, feathers, etc. Like with anything else in this hobby, some will have these for years without a thing being touched, some will have a nightmare scenario. I would pull it out for good if you want to keep your condy and keep a close eye on the others.