Tiny starfish

[texasmatt]

I noticed some tiny arms coming out of a live rock crevice a few weeks ago. I've been trying to spot feed it a bit to help it grow, which it has. It looks like a fancy serpent starfish but much much smaller. I'm assuming this is a good hitch hiker and I've read they will split and multiply after a while, will continued spot feeding help this process along to get more of these bad boys?

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by TexasMatt
http:///forum/post/3090456
I noticed some tiny arms coming out of a live rock crevice a few weeks ago. I've been trying to spot feed it a bit to help it grow, which it has. It looks like a fancy serpent starfish but much much smaller. I'm assuming this is a good hitch hiker and I've read they will split and multiply after a while, will continued spot feeding help this process along to get more of these bad boys?

Spot feed it what? I think those tiny brittle stars don't ever get very big and are rearly seen. They are good scavengers and are fine to leave in the tank but you don't need to feed it anything.
You can buy serpent stars but again they are almost never seen.

 

[cranberry]

Agreed. No need to feed it. It will stay small.

 

[ophiura]

Yes, it is a small species - very unlikely to be a "baby" of a larger species. these are very common hitch hikers and do well. I agree there is no need to spot feed them.

 

[texasmatt]

Just wanted to see if I could get him any bigger to encourage him to split, I've just used some tweezers to direct a small piece of squid his way when i feed the tank.

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by TexasMatt
http:///forum/post/3090748
Just wanted to see if I could get him any bigger to encourage him to split, I've just used some tweezers to direct a small piece of squid his way when i feed the tank.

It is too small for a piece of squid, you are going to have a cyano problem if you try feeding the critters that live in the rocks. Squid can cause an ammonia spike as well, just like any uneaten dead fish.
If you want a big one, go buy yourself one and once a week give it a chunk of shrimp after lights out (use moonlights) and enjoy your critter.

 

[ophiura]

I guarantee you already have several in the tank. Let nature take its course, IMO. There will be plenty for them to eat in most tanks.

 

[texasmatt]

I'm sure he'd be fine I just tend to dot on all my tank creatures, esp the inverts. It is fun watching him crush a piece of squid though he eats fast.