jason7504 Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 i have seen some small orange starfish and red brittle stars in some nano reefs. are they reef safe? is there a chance that they might attack the fish? corals? or other inverts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrgreenthumb Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 In general the orange starfish are not a good idea for a nano, or any tank imo, but do thrive in rare circumstances. Most require a fair amount of coralline algae, among other algae to be able to thrive. Some of the brittle stars can be aggressive towards fish, namely the green ones, but most are harmless and good scavengers, do your research on the particular species you are looking to acquire to ensure it will not predate on your fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason7504 Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 ok..why do they need coralline algae? well i want to get a blenny and goby so maybe i shouldn't get one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oxx155 Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I had 3 green brittle stars and found them attacking my acros (eating more than attacking). I will never have them again in a reef. I have heard other brittle stars are alright. I have always been a fan of Linkia Stars, but they are not easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrgreenthumb Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 they eat the coralline algae, so you need a huge tank so they can cycle through allowing areas to recover and grow more. The acro eating green brittle stars is a new one for me, though it doesn't surprise me. Those guys are downright mean! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason7504 Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 they eat the coralline algae, so you need a huge tank so they can cycle through allowing areas to recover and grow more. The acro eating green brittle stars is a new one for me, though it doesn't surprise me. Those guys are downright mean! oh i didnt know they eat the coralline algae..interesting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason7504 Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 I had 3 green brittle stars and found them attacking my acros (eating more than attacking). I will never have them again in a reef. I have heard other brittle stars are alright. I have always been a fan of Linkia Stars, but they are not easy. this is the red brittle http://sealifeinc.net/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=37&products_id=199 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrgreenthumb Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 looks like a good fit to me!! always a safe bet with a scavenger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason7504 Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 someone on nano-reef.com said that that wouldn't be good in a nano and reccommended getting a non-green or spikes on the arms serpent.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowpunk Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 I had a spiked arm one. I would stay away from them. Mine ate 2 sea hares and anything else it could get ahold of. Mine was really big though also(18" tip to tip) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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