reef

ophiura

Active Member
It is the star shown in the avatar, which is not reef safe as mentioned in another thread.
this means it will eat corals, zoanthids, anemones, snails, tube worms and anything else it can likely catch or crawl over. So it can not go in a reef, or you can not keep those things with it. A reef, specifically, means corals and such but also includes many other inverts.
You might be able to keep shrimp, crabs or a brittlestar, but it depends on the size of the tank and the parameters. But many other inverts may be eaten. Basically you can consider keep inverts that are able to move, quickly.
 

tasker101

New Member
I had 3 different shrimp and all died maybe this is why. I do have 4 snails and have had them for about 1 year or more, and hermit crabs. I have had this star for about 2 years. I got him when my tank was about 6 months old. I think he is great. I don't know what to do.. my tank is only 45 gallons. thanks
 
looks like a chocalte chip star fish...no no in a reef tank.. u can have any of the linkia starfish as they r filter feeders.. come in orange ,blue, red very nice..hang on the glass and top of tank...
 

ophiura

Active Member
Originally Posted by FalsePercula26
http:///forum/post/2900179
looks like a chocalte chip star fish...no no in a reef tank.. u can have any of the linkia starfish as they r filter feeders.. come in orange ,blue, red very nice..hang on the glass and top of tank...
They are actually not filter feeders, and most will starve in tanks that are too small in about a year to 18 months. They rely on huge amounts of LR to feed on :( So unfortunately they are not a good choice except for large mature reef tanks.
I strongly discourage people keeping them unless they have a lot of LR.
Also, it is entirely possible the other star will eat it.
I can't quite tell what species it is per se, but it is either Protoreaster (which includes chocolate chip stars) or an Oreaster (which is a Caribbean species). But both are pretty big eaters and a threat to slower inverts.
 

ophiura

Active Member
Originally Posted by tasker101
http:///forum/post/2900067
I had 3 different shrimp and all died maybe this is why. I do have 4 snails and have had them for about 1 year or more, and hermit crabs. I have had this star for about 2 years. I got him when my tank was about 6 months old. I think he is great. I don't know what to do.. my tank is only 45 gallons. thanks
If you found the shrimp bodies, it was not responsible. But it would eat them when dead. Shrimp have issues with water parameters. What are the water parameters in your tank? How much LR do you have?
There is no doubt having a large active predatory star is limiting to some degree. There are some brittlestars that would be reasonable choices, but a lot of other inverts are going to be at risk.
 

tasker101

New Member
I am sure he is a batik as you said before. I have about 25 to 30 pounds of live rock. I take my water to the lfs all the time. I do not trust myself. My water is good. why would he leave the snails and crabs alone?
 

ophiura

Active Member
Remember, though, what is perfect for fish can be fatal for other animals...in particular specific gravity, pH, alk and calcium. To keep inverts, it is important to know this. If you have issues with shrimp, it is very possibly related to these.
The star may leave them alone until it comes across them and is hungry. What do you feed the star? Basically, it is possibly just a matter of time, not any sort of indication that it won't eat them. It may eat them tomorrow, or it may never eat them...just one of those things :)
 

tasker101

New Member
He eats shrimp pellets and frozen brine. I also see him pick up the fish food. What else should I feed him? I use a hydometer which I am seeing your guys don't like. It is aways between 1.021 and 1.023. thanks I am learning alot.. I am only in my 3 year with the tank.
 
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