Starfish or urchin

[reeflover_3303]

what would be more beneficial , a urchin or starfish . Not any specific one but just in general

 

[James M]

Starfish

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Urchin.

 

[GoPitt88]

What size tank and what do you have in it? I have a 55 gallon mixed reef, and got a blue tuxedo urchin about 6 months ago. I love the little guy [emoji16] He doesn't bother any of my corals and eats a ton of algae! He does eat coralline algae though. I can't comment on starfish, I've never had any.

 

[reeflover_3303]

It’s a 40 gallon . Would a starfish do good in a BB tank ?

 

[James M]

It’s a 40 gallon . Would a starfish do good in a BB tank ?

I would go with an urchin in a BB , more Alea for it to eat

 

[cracker]

For algae control? An urchin for sure .

 

[reeflover_3303]

For algae control? An urchin for sure .

No just wanted an invert

 

[starypotter]

No just wanted an invert

Lots of starfish tend to die in captivity I've learned, there are very few that tend to do well for long periods of time that I've come across.

 

[DeniseAndy]

You will need lots of algae (can be sheets) to keep the urchin happy too. I would get a tuxedo as they are smaller.

 

[ThunderGoose]

What do you want out of an invert? Urchins are more interesting than starfish IMHO but shrimp are better than either. You're much more likely to see them. Especially skunk cleaners.

 

[reeflover_3303]

Just wanted to add more character to the tank. I have a skunk shrimp

 

[ThunderGoose]

Just wanted to add more character to the tank. I have a skunk shrimp

Then I'd recommend an urchin. I see mine much more than my starfish.

 

[reeflover_3303]

I will look for an urchin tomorrow at the lfs . Thank you

 

[cracker]

Ok how about a cleaner shrimp . The Yellow & red strips running front to back ? These guys are hardy & personable .

 

[DJ H]

My urchins are over 10 years old. I probably feed to much but don’t have a algae promblem.

 

[Eagle aquatics315]

what would be more beneficial , a urchin or starfish . Not any specific one but just in general

Urchins ALL THE WAY, love them, the best algae eaters in my tank and they look awesome.

 

[lzrlvr]

Brittle stars are a nice little addition mine came as hitchhikers

 

[Marie7]

what would be more beneficial , a urchin or starfish . Not any specific one but just in general

I believe that all depends the type you obtain, I have a serpentine starfish and I love it, she does great cleaning my tank and mostly stay on top of the rocks or hide, i like to see it eat , I do not recommend the chocolate chip as they tend to eat corals in a blink of an eye as also they can eat anemones if they grow big I had the experience on it and in both situations, the urchin I have one on my nano tank and I have corals as well as fishes, she won't bother at all she mainly stay on the glass and away from light and eye, but also can eat coraline at times, if I have to choose I will choose the first one Serpentine starfish as it is more active and attractive to watch and interact on my 70 gallon tank.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Stars drag everything in their luggage trunk and eat the coralline over time whereas stars are ornamental but can also suck onto and drag frags. I'm more for the starfish