Brittle Star and Peppermint Shrimp?

[hottie79]

Heya Everbody,
I did a search on brittle stars but cant seem to find anything on this, so I gotta ask. Is it ok to put peppermint shrimp in with my brittle star? I know the brittle EATS shrimp, or at least the mysis I feed them every other day. What about cleaner shrimp?

 

[whitebird]

we have 2 brittle stars and peperment shrimp and the shrimp go all around the stars and none has been eat yet

 

[lorin]

I have a brittle star that spreads out to the size of a paper plate. It has been in the tank for several years with peppermint, cleaner and fire shrimp. It has never eaten anything I am aware of. It will come out when I feed the tank, hoping to catch a piece of food. It appears to be only a scavenger. Lorin

 

[hottie79]

Thanks! I just want to make informed decisions before dropping live animals in a tank. Sometimes our own ignorance is the cruelest thing to the fishies we love so much. Wow, kinda got on a soap box there.
Anyway, this is so the most addicting hobby in the world. :cheer:

 

[trikonreef]

I've got a green brittle the size of a large dinner plate thats eaten 4 shrip. He waits till the molt and then eats 'em. Every time.

 

[ophiura]

It is always a potential issue. The green more likely than others. Having said that I have had 3 VERY large greens, and 9 other largish stars with a cleaner shrimp for quite awhile and have no problems. But I feed very very heavily.
The important thing to remember is that these animals are following their instinct, not trying to annoy people. There is a risk with certain species of brittlestars - moreso than others - but it is never intentional. Feeding them and not allowing them to just scavenge is important, but it may not prevent predation.

 

[alyssia]

I have a brown brittle that I have had in my tank with a fire shrimp, cleaner shrimp, and peppermints for about 7 months and so far, so good.

 

[scriggle]

I had a large black banded brittle star that murdered my green clown goby. when they are hungry they get predatory. i wish i would have fed him more...