Star Polyp Coral VS Brittle Starfish

whotzler

whotzler

New Member
I had purchased a Pink Star Polyp Frag about three weeks ago. It had looked like a pink glob of chewing gum stuck to a frag for the first day, but after that it had opened up beautifully and has even grown some in the last couple weeks. Three days ago I have noticed that it was no longer opening in the morning like it had been, and had returned to its chewing gum looking state throughout the day. I noticed tentacles of a Brittle Starfish sticking out from what appears to be between the Frag puck and the chewing gum looking blob that is my Star Polyp!! The Star Polyp has not opened and the Bristle Starfish has been in this spot for three days, should I be concerned with this? The Star Polyp is the size of the frag puck and the starfish is about half that size.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Two comments only based on my personal experience:

1 - Brittlestars, although omnivores, rarely, if ever, eat coral. They are mostly meat eaters but I've never heard of one eating coral. This applies to tropical brittl starfish only of course.

2 - Star Polyps regulary close up shop for a few days up to a couple weeks at a time. In my experience this is usually followed by a rapid growth phase where the growth rate doubles or even triples. They get a waxy looking coating that finally peels off.

That said, if Polyps hav insufficient lighting and/or water flow they will retract once they run out of energy and eventually die.

Also ensure you constantly have adequate alkalinity and calcium levels.
 
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