Banded Serpent Star question

[shollis2814]

My banded serpent star has gotten very large for my 36 gallon tank. When he stretches out, tip to tip he is well over half the length.

I think he is a cool addition, but I have noticed that I cannot keep shrimp or emerald crabs for any length of time. I suspect he gets them after a molt, but I have also heard they are generally peaceful critters. One this large, though, I have my suspicions, but I have never 'caught him in the act'. Fish are royal gramma, percula clown, and lantern bass. I don't think those guys would go after large shrimp.

Have you guys ever had a sea star go rogue? I am thinking of trading him in to my LFS.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

yes. Serpent stars are predators. Ive seen a few on here that the thought were brittle stars but were in fact serpent stars and eating fish. usually they prefer the easy meal you provide, but sometimes you cant fight nature.
FWIW Ive had hermits go rogue and attack fish.

 

[bobman]

Most brittle stars are fish safe but I feel I must point out most are fish safe except the green brittle star. I have one that is about 20" tip to tip. I have not had a problem with it eating fish as I keep it very well fed but the people I got it from said it would eat a fish about once a week in there tank.

 

[Naiad]

Do you feed him? If so how often? I made the mistake of adding a newly purchased star to a tank and first thing he did was grab the nearest meal. My blood shrimp. He had been starved during transit.

 

[bobman]

Yes I feed him either half a table shrimp or a silverside everynight before the lights go off. I just attach the shrimp or what ever to a metal coat hanger and reach down the he will wrap his arm around it and then I just give a little tug to get the shrimp off the coat hanger. My tank is 30" deep and he sits behind the rocks so I cant exactly just reach in there to feed him. My cleaner and fire shrimp always try to sneak a bite of his dinner and he dont seem to be bothered by them so far but I would not be surprised if one day he grabs them to

 

[Naiad]

Yes I feed him either half a table shrimp or a silverside everynight before the lights go off. I just attach the shrimp or what ever to a metal coat hanger and reach down the he will wrap his arm around it and then I just give a little tug to get the shrimp off the coat hanger. My tank is 30" deep and he sits behind the rocks so I cant exactly just reach in there to feed him. My cleaner and fire shrimp always try to sneak a bite of his dinner and he dont seem to be bothered by them so far but I would not be surprised if one day he grabs them to

I was wondering if the OP fed his star but the fact that regular feedings can keep even a green star from taking fish is more evidence to the idea that stars are dangerous only when not fed. I don't think they should be considered part of a cuc as most people do not feed enough for stars to be satiated with leftovers.