serpent star issues

[coralreefer]

when i bought this monster serpent star it was only like 4-5 in. in diameter........
its about 9 now! here's a list of all the valuable things its eaten:
strawberry crab
sea slug
peppermint shrimp
i need some ideas on how to lure this sucker out from his place in the rock formation and CATCH him

 

[saltn00b]

are your sure it has eaten them ?

 

[spanko]

Let me guess, is it a green one?

 

[coralreefer]

yep im pretty sure because theres nothing else that could. also, this morning i saw the dead sea slug on the sand and the star's legs were about to pull him in before i snatched him up

 

[coralreefer]

its not green but grey

 

[saltn00b]

well your case of the slug is the star doing its job. and that is being an amazing scavenger, eating things before they pollute your water. was it a lettuce nudi? they have dismal success rates and likely died for other reasons. whatever the reason, the star was not one.
the green brittle is one of the most common ones reported to attack live animals, and it is rare that others will do that, but not impossible.

 

[coralreefer]

so are there any suggestions on how to get this thing out

 

[saltn00b]

im just not convinced the star is whats killing the critters. what is your pH and SG at ? were they new critters? do you ever hear clicking from the tank ?

 

[coralreefer]

no my ph and sg are fine. i never hear clicking. these werent new things. they were there for a while

 

[florida joe]

Gray ? can you post a pic ?

 

[coralreefer]

ill try tonight

 

[kpatrick]

I am still not certain that the starfish kiiled the other tank mates but if you want to catch it then you can try this, it worked for me. Turn out all the lights and place a piece of shrimp in the front corner of the tank (or any other part of the tank) that is out in the open. The starfish will come out to grab the shrimp and when it does you should be able to grab it.

 

[coralreefer]

thanks kpatrick, worked like a charm. ill post a pic in a sec

 

[coralreefer]

some pics of it:

it might be green

 

[kpatrick]

Now if that same trick only worked on fish!

 

[coralreefer]

ya i wish

 

[florida joe]

I am thinking it’s a Serpent Sea Star, Fancy Tiger-striped. It should not have eaten any of the things you mentioned I would look else wear

 

[coralreefer]

im trading it in at my lfs and getting some coral

 

[mr_x]

Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/2930406
I am thinking it’s a Serpent Sea Star, Fancy Tiger-striped. It should not have eaten any of the things you mentioned I would look else wear
+1.
it didn't eat any of those things, while they were alive and healthy.

 

[coralreefer]

what else could have?