Star Fish and Shrimp Sense of smell

[ocellaris_keeper]

I notice that no one indicates the incredible sense of smell green brittle stars and cleaner shrimp have.
as soon as I put any of food in the tank these creatures sense it and come looking for it. The things will take the food right out of my fingers.
Although Green brittle start fish are considered nocturnal creatues, they will come out and meet you - even take food from your hand during the day. Heck I had one that would com up and climb in my hand every day at 7:30PM looking for food.
"Unfortunately Hurrican Isabell destroyed my entire livestock two years ago.

 

[ophiura]

Some zoos with invertebrate displays will commonly feature brittlestars to show off their chemosensory abilities to "smell" food. It is also why brittlestars often react quickly to newly introduced stressed fish, shrimp, etc....and why one of the primary times of predation on them would be shortly after introduction. It is also why many animals can tell another is dying long before we realize there is anything wrong, and why they are commonly accused, in error, that they attacked and killed something that was "fine."