Could a Starfish kill a Lawnmower Blenny?
- Thread starter jw1977
- Start date
flower
Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/3143559
Is it a green brittle? If so most definitely !!!!
I have a huge green brittle star and it has never eaten anything. It has chased my sand sifter but gave up when he swam away too many times. I think if a fish is weak the brittle star can catch it and eat it, but a healthy fish just swims out of its way.
http:///forum/post/3143559
Is it a green brittle? If so most definitely !!!!
I have a huge green brittle star and it has never eaten anything. It has chased my sand sifter but gave up when he swam away too many times. I think if a fish is weak the brittle star can catch it and eat it, but a healthy fish just swims out of its way.
spanko
Active Member
Here is a quoted from wet web media.
"One species in common use warrants a statutory warning. This is the Green Brittle Star of the genus Ophiarachna. This animal is a predatory fish eater, that does indeed do a spiffy janitorial job when small... but grows quickly, and under darkness of night can/does learn to eat aquarium fishes. This species has been documented to arch up in "sleeping caves" of captive fishes and drop down on unsuspecting meals. If you use this species, keep an eye on it, and a count on your piscine livestock."
"One species in common use warrants a statutory warning. This is the Green Brittle Star of the genus Ophiarachna. This animal is a predatory fish eater, that does indeed do a spiffy janitorial job when small... but grows quickly, and under darkness of night can/does learn to eat aquarium fishes. This species has been documented to arch up in "sleeping caves" of captive fishes and drop down on unsuspecting meals. If you use this species, keep an eye on it, and a count on your piscine livestock."
ophiura
Active Member
The green brittlestar is a KNOWN PREDATOR IN THE WILD.
If this is what you have, then absolutely. I have never had an issue with my 3- that is meaningless. It is a known fact that they can do this. It is a scientific observation and publication.
Other species...eh, not so much.
What color, how big, and what do you feed it?
That being said, lawnmower blennies can starve to death. Also, if it was a new fish it is at high risk of death. So we need more information. YES, it is possible...NO it is not a sure thing.
I would propose that more fish die and are consumed rather than being killed. We just like to believe they are killed. the answer to your question is we may never know.
If this is what you have, then absolutely. I have never had an issue with my 3- that is meaningless. It is a known fact that they can do this. It is a scientific observation and publication.
Other species...eh, not so much.
What color, how big, and what do you feed it?
That being said, lawnmower blennies can starve to death. Also, if it was a new fish it is at high risk of death. So we need more information. YES, it is possible...NO it is not a sure thing.
I would propose that more fish die and are consumed rather than being killed. We just like to believe they are killed. the answer to your question is we may never know.
flower
Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/3143576
Here is a quoted from wet web media.
"One species in common use warrants a statutory warning. This is the Green Brittle Star of the genus Ophiarachna. This animal is a predatory fish eater, that does indeed do a spiffy janitorial job when small... but grows quickly, and under darkness of night can/does learn to eat aquarium fishes. This species has been documented to arch up in "sleeping caves" of captive fishes and drop down on unsuspecting meals. If you use this species, keep an eye on it, and a count on your piscine livestock."
Thanks for the heads up...I have moonlights, I hope it helps the fish see if it comes creeping up on it. Those lights certainly helped stop the fin nipping in the middle of the night. My green brittle is huge...I do feed it chunks of shrimp...could that maybe have curbed it from hunting?
http:///forum/post/3143576
Here is a quoted from wet web media.
"One species in common use warrants a statutory warning. This is the Green Brittle Star of the genus Ophiarachna. This animal is a predatory fish eater, that does indeed do a spiffy janitorial job when small... but grows quickly, and under darkness of night can/does learn to eat aquarium fishes. This species has been documented to arch up in "sleeping caves" of captive fishes and drop down on unsuspecting meals. If you use this species, keep an eye on it, and a count on your piscine livestock."
Thanks for the heads up...I have moonlights, I hope it helps the fish see if it comes creeping up on it. Those lights certainly helped stop the fin nipping in the middle of the night. My green brittle is huge...I do feed it chunks of shrimp...could that maybe have curbed it from hunting?