watertight
Member
My daughter wants a starfish for my 40 gal tank. Are they hard to keep? Do they cause any probs? Do they keep the glass clean? Any info at all appreciated. I know nothing about them whatsoever....
Starfish ???
- Thread starter watertight
- Start date
nytrillium
Member
get a brittle star.... they will eat anything you put in the tank for hte fish and it will scavenge for what it needs. although you can spot feed them meaty pieces of scallop, shrimp, or fish. I have a Green brittle star but they can be agressive and eat other fish and snails. just a common black brittle star or whatever they are... idk the serpent stars are cool too.
lion_crazz
Active Member
I would nix the brittle star because they are aggressive and they hide. Plus, they get quite large.
I would go with the chocolate chip starfish. They are very easy to take care of, they would be perfectly happy in a 40 gallon, and your daughter would get to see it quite a lot. I see my starfish everyday, sometimes more than I see my fish. My starfish actually comes to the top of the tank to eat, and my niece absolutely loves my chocolate chip. Plus, they are cheap. Most places sell them for like $8 so you could even get two if you wanted. Just make sure you give them standard acclimation of about one to two hours drip method, and that you feed it meaty frozen food (krill, prawn, etc.) at least once per week ( I feed mine every time I feed the fish, which is 3 times per week).
I would go with the chocolate chip starfish. They are very easy to take care of, they would be perfectly happy in a 40 gallon, and your daughter would get to see it quite a lot. I see my starfish everyday, sometimes more than I see my fish. My starfish actually comes to the top of the tank to eat, and my niece absolutely loves my chocolate chip. Plus, they are cheap. Most places sell them for like $8 so you could even get two if you wanted. Just make sure you give them standard acclimation of about one to two hours drip method, and that you feed it meaty frozen food (krill, prawn, etc.) at least once per week ( I feed mine every time I feed the fish, which is 3 times per week).
watertight
Member
I've got the starfish, my wife bought it from the lfs while I was at home, so I guess I've got it now, whether I like it or not! I don't know what breed it is, I've taken a pic to try and identify it...
celacanthr
Active Member
Chocolate chip star
lion_crazz
Active Member
yup. good choice!
celacanthr
Active Member
But watch out for snails, and other slow moving molluscs. They may get eaten since they are considered predatory.
lion_crazz
Active Member
I know that they are predatory and all, but mine never touches snails and such. Maybe that is because I feed him so much though.
watertight
Member
Thanks for the ID. I fed him a small peice of squid last night, he ate it ok. I'll keep him well fed so hopefully he won't eat my snails. Thanks again
A footnote: It would be quite funny to watch, wouldn't it...a starfish chasing a snail around the tank! Things wouldn't happen real quick
A footnote: It would be quite funny to watch, wouldn't it...a starfish chasing a snail around the tank! Things wouldn't happen real quick
N
nereef
Guest
Originally Posted by lion_crazz
I know that they are predatory and all, but mine never touches snails and such. Maybe that is because I feed him so much though.
Mine did a funny thing. it never bothered the snails or cleaner shrimp, but when the shrimp molted, the ccs would eat the molted shell.
I know that they are predatory and all, but mine never touches snails and such. Maybe that is because I feed him so much though.
Mine did a funny thing. it never bothered the snails or cleaner shrimp, but when the shrimp molted, the ccs would eat the molted shell.
lion_crazz
Active Member
wow, interesting!
N
nereef
Guest
yep, funny little guys to have. they will eat sponges and corals though. but a great addition to any fowlr tank.
