Red Serpant taking down Naso/Picasso???

[loodachris]

This may sound crazy but is it possible that my Serpant star killed my Naso and Picasso trigger during the night? I have a 10-12 Inch Red Serpant and HAD a 5 inch Naso and a 2-3 inch Picasso. It is my belief that the starfish killed my Naso while he was sleeping, because the other day when I got up the Naso... who was perfectly fine the night before and the weeks before... was wrapped up in the tentacles of the star. At first I thought that maybe the Naso didnt make it do to stress or whatever (the water parameters were/are good and stable) and the star decided to make a meal out of the dying fish. But 2 weeks after I lost the Naso I bought a 2-3 inch Trigger, and when I put him in the tank, he went right to the bottom and just sat perfectly still in a little cave, and within about 30 seconds I saw a tentacle wrap completely around him. I was able to break it up but a week later I wake again to find a fish in the arms of the star after the fish was fine the night/week before. Any Ideas???? (sorry for the novel)

 

[loodachris]

Anyone?? Im very impatient, I know... but im really bored at work and curious about this haha....
I know that you need to keep these starfish fed well and im not sure that I have been and that they are nocturnal, but would that cause it to take out these fish while they are sleeping? Im also thinking if it spooked my clownfish during the night too because my clown jumped out of the tank during the night.

 

[teresaq1]

are you feeding your star anything. sounds like you need to go to the grocery store and buy some shrimp to feed it. sound like its hungry

 

[loodachris]

No I dont feed him anything directly... I just feed mysis shrimp into the tank and im sure he doesnt get what he should be getting... But if that it the case, is it possible he took these guys out? I mean, obviously without hard evidence I cant say for sure but is it a possibility?

 

[teresaq1]

He prob did. i am pretty sure you need to spot feed him something bigger then mysis. esp since it is so big. you can buy 2 or 3 shrimp from the grocey store for under a dollar. cut them into about three pieces, and put a piece next to his hole.

 

[loodachris]

Awesome thanks. Yeah that really pisses me off though I guess that in depth research helps so you dont learn from experience and after losing 2 amazing fish and 80 bux.

 

[ophiura]

Before you blame the serpentstar I would seriously consider reviewing other possible causes of the fish death. Other fish? Specific water parameters? While it is possible, I would still rule out other issues.
Also - your serpentstar is getting no where near enough food and can hardly be blamed, IMO at least, for trying to eat.

 

[monalisa]

Loodachris (I love that username!!)
I have had 2 brittle stars in my tank since putting them in with my clean up crew. I've been spot feeding them at least once a week (sometimes twice) little chunks of frozen shrimp, squid, clams, etc., and at this point, I can tell when they need a "fix" because they tend to come out and about even with the lights on. Usually when that happens, that's my cue to spot feed.
Maybe your serpent (although, it is possible that he's not the culprit) was just trying to let you know what he needs???
Lisa :happyfish

 

[loodachris]

Ok guys thanks for your help. If that is the case (the star attacking at night) I'm sure it is because he was obviously hungry and I need to spot feed. Im almost sure it wasnt another fish or the parameters. There is only a yellow tang in there... also the parameters were/are fine and stable. Just the nitrate is a little high between 20-25. But theres no doubt in my mind that this guy wasnt getting enough food.