Chocolate chip starfish?

[jackman]

I was wondering how HARDY are they? I am new to this hobby and don't always have the most perfect water, not saying I'm not trying too, I do check my salinity, amonia and nitrates and nitrites plus PH. and also I do have a crushed coral bed which now after coming to this site know that its not the best but thats life. I also have some hermit crab and scarlet crabs will they harm the star, and will the starfish harm my dead coral displays? I know alot of questions but I'm a newbee....
thanks in advance.
Jackman

 

[cptn howdy]

i've heard horror stories of them eating various polyp corals. watch him closely around them if you have any.

 

[jackman]

Originally posted by Cptn Howdy
i've heard horror stories of them eating various polyp corals. watch him closely around them if you have any.
Thanks for the reply so fast.
Even Dead Coral they will eat?
Jackman

 

[cptn howdy]

i dunno. my co-worker got me into this hobby and he's the one who told me that they are known to grub corals. i'd do a search on this board. try using the words "chocolate chip coral" and you should be able to find more detailed info.
if you think it's a risk then it's probably best to take back the $15 starfish to keep a $40 coral

 

[jackman]

Originally posted by Cptn Howdy
i dunno. my co-worker got me into this hobby and he's the one who told me that they are known to grub corals. i'd do a search on this board. try using the words "chocolate chip coral" and you should be able to find more detailed info.
if you think it's a risk then it's probably best to take back the $15 starfish to keep a $40 coral
Have not bought the starfish yet, Just realy wanted to know if they are a very hardy invert, Cause I have had problems with shrimp and snails in my tank but all my crabs are fine..
Jackman

 

[craprap]

I have always been very hard on fish (not always checking water quality and water changes) and Chocolate Chip starfish have always lasted a long time for me.

 

[ka0z4allu]

Chocolate chip starfish are very hardy species of starfish. As long as you have a fisho only tank or fish only with live rock, then he will be a great addition for your tank. If you have live corals, then be very careful dealing with the chocolate chip star. I had one in my tank (I am pretty new too). He was ok with my polyps if I kept him fed about 2 times per week with a peice of frozen shrimp or scallop. But one time I had forgotten to feed him and I caught him trying to eat my ricordea polyp. Lucky for me I got him off in time. But in a fish only tank he will be a great addition for you. I also started out with crushed coral for the bottom of my tank and have since switched after finding this message board. I am very happy with the result of sand and It does make a difference in my water parameters. Just keep in touch with the guys here on SWF.com as they have a lot of great input, and can help you along the journey to a very succesful reef tank!

 

[jgonier]

I was looking at a chip star the other day, and when I asked if it would do ok with my new Orange Linkia star I will be getting tomarrow, she said no. She said ch. chip stars need to be the only star in the tank or they will kill any other. I don't know if this is true, but I did not buy it after she told me that. I figure a 20.00 linkia is more important to me to keep that a 5.00 ch. chip.

 

[lovethesea]

we love ours. But not reef safe as stated. We feed him about twice a week a small piece of shrimp. Make sure your rock work is stable, they are little bulldozers. Very fun to watch in the tank. Very busy. Ours comes to the top and lays backwards and we feed him then. We have had "Chip" for about 2+ years now.

 

[pufferman]

I think chocolate chip star is the hardiest of all, but still it is sensitive to fluctuating water conditions (temp...etc) and medications. your hermit crabs will not bother your star, and vice versa..... but remember they are voracious eaters....mine even fed on film algae and all other nuisance algae on the glass....as long as you're not doing a reef tank...I think chocolate chip is a great beginner starfish.

 

[jackman]

I just wanted to thank all of you who have responded to my question, And you all made it alot easier to decide on getting the starfish. I hope he will be as great as all of your have been for you, Once again thanks and this site ROCKS!!!!

Jackman....
One more question the shrimp you feed them are they just frozen shrimp that you get from the grocery store that we would eat or do you have to go to the LFS for the frozen shrimp?

 

[ka0z4allu]

I fed mine just frrozen shrimp from the grocery store and give him small peices of it. Sometimes when he would be hungry and come to the top of the tank, he would put his legs back to the surface of the water and I would give him some frozen brine shrimp or whatever I was feeding my fishes. They will also eat algae and detrius off of the tank walls and floor. Let us know if you decide to get him and how you like him.:happyfish

 

[jackman]

Originally posted by ka0z4allu
I fed mine just frrozen shrimp from the grocery store and give him small peices of it. Sometimes when he would be hungry and come to the top of the tank, he would put his legs back to the surface of the water and I would give him some frozen brine shrimp or whatever I was feeding my fishes. They will also eat algae and detrius off of the tank walls and floor. Let us know if you decide to get him and how you like him.:happyfish
Thanks I am going to pick him up tonight after work and I will keep you updated. Thanks alot for all your imput...
Jackman

 

[badkharma]

I have a similarily related species - the Red General star. Very hardy, like the choco chip. I feed frozen krill/shrimp chunks once a week. Usually that fills him up until next time, I've found. They are not reef safe though, so if you keep any corals, they'll probably eat it. I do have 3 or so zoos and a mushroom hitchhiker on one piece of LR in there though, and I've had the star for months and he hasn't touched them. But that doesn't mean they are safe...