Serpent Star Question

[mattman91]

I got my first serpent star yesterday, and it is the coolest thing ever, despite only catching fleeting glimpses of it. I just have a question about it. Obviously, its nocturnal, only coming out at night to feed, but how in the world does this thing with no eyes know if its night or not?

 

[geridoc]

Starfish do not have eyes as we know them. However, they do have light sensitive patches on their arms. As a result, they cannot resolve an image and "see" their world, but they can sense light and dark. This helps them to know when it is dark, and when they are in a shelter. My serpent has been in my tank for almost two years, and will come out at feeding time, even if the lights are on. It will often sit in full view, but in the shadow of a rock, thinking that it is safely in a dark cave.

 

[flower]

If you have moonlights and are very.very patient...you will see your star active about 2 to 3 hours after lights out...You can encourage him to come out by thawing a chunk of raw shrimp and with tongs hold it out near his rock...he will come out and wrap his arms around it and pull it under his rock to enjoy. Don't do that but once every other month...he eats the food that is traped in the rocks and if spoil him too often he won't do a good job.