brittle star size

[alyssia]

I have a brown and black brittle star in my reef tank. Without a pic, can someone tell me how big these get? It's starting to freak me out a little...

 

[mudplayerx]

I've seen a green brittlestar at a local fish store about 1 foot across. It may have been bigger as only half of it was sticking out from the crevice in the live rock.

 

[ophiura]

I can't tell you without a picture. The green brittlestar is a very large species, but not all will grow large.

 

[alyssia]

Originally Posted by mudplayerx
I've seen a green brittlestar at a local fish store about 1 foot across. It may have been bigger as only half of it was sticking out from the crevice in the live rock.

 

[dogstar]

I have a black one that I only see about 3 inches of one arm at a time sticking out from under its favorite rock. I estimate it about 10 inches across.

 

[alyssia]

Originally Posted by Dogstar
I have a black one that I only see about 3 inches of one arm at a time sticking out from under its favorite rock. I estimate it about 10 inches across.

:scared: Will they start killing things when they get that big?

 

[ophiura]

No, size is not a factor in this behavior.

 

[alyssia]

Whew.

It kind of reminds me of a giant spider.

 

[nytrillium]

Originally Posted by ophiura
No, size is not a factor in this behavior.

It's Hunger hehe.....
I saw a bubble tiped brittle star that was a pinkish color, you never see its body but its arms are probably close to a foot long each ... its huge. ver cool looking though

 

[dogstar]

Originally Posted by alyssia
:scared: Will they start killing things when they get that big?
:thinking: :thinking: I have not noticed anything missing....I have had it for years....

 

[mr_bill]

Originally Posted by mudplayerx
I've seen a green brittlestar at a local fish store about 1 foot across. It may have been bigger as only half of it was sticking out from the crevice in the live rock.

Me too, it was as my son would say...... GI-HUGE-IC

 

[mudplayerx]

The green brittlestars are reported the have more of a tendency to be predatory than the other ones. However, this is an assumption at best. I have a very large green brittlestar and he never bothers anything. Actually, he only comes out at night and clean detritus.
Keeping them well-fed is a factor. I feed my brittlestar meaty foods everytime I feed my corals. The green stars have been nicknamed "green death" and I will never allow mine to go hungry due to this.

 

[nytrillium]

Originally Posted by mudplayerx
Keeping them well-fed is a factor. I feed my brittlestar meaty foods everytime I feed my corals. The green stars have been nicknamed "green death" and I will never allow mine to go hungry due to this.

Ditto.... I keep mine fed and i havent had a problem.

 

[scriggle]

I had a large (16" + legspan) and he killed my green clown goby

. keep him fed well when they get that big!!

 

[scriggle]

forgot to add it was a black banded brittle star

 

[alyssia]

What is the lifespan on these things? He was cool at first, and he's still a good scavenger to have, but it's getting hard to spot feed him because he hides so much. Plus, the shrimp always try to steal what I'm trying to give him. And he's getting FREAKY looking.

 

[ophiura]

The lifespan is unknown, but there is no sign that they die of "old age" in the wild. I've seen someone report having one 15 years...

 

[nytrillium]

Is there any way you can get pictures? id love to see.