Banded serpent starfish... reef safe?

jcrow802 · Jan 4, 2017

I found one of these hitch hiking on some rock I bought. It's about 6-8" from side to side. Long skinny legs and a body the size of a quarter.
I was told by the owner of the rock they are a great cuc but I have also heard they will kill sleeping fish. Anyone have any personal experience with these?

reefguyty · Jan 4, 2017

What a big hitch hiker!

Tahoe61 · Jan 4, 2017

Most are completely harmless. Green Serpent stars seem to be the most troublesome. I would consider it a good hitch-hiker, score. Keep it well feed and it's all good.

Roboson · Jan 4, 2017

Red guys are fine. Green ones are to be added with caution. However, one that big should be target fed to keep it healthy and happy. It could try and catch a very small sleeping fish if it was starving to death. But as long as it's taken care of properly, it's reef safe.

jcrow802 · Jan 4, 2017

I think I'll take it to my lfs. I don't want to target feed it. Not worth somthing missing in my tank. I have too many small fish.

prsnlty · Jan 5, 2017

I had the same one. It spanned at least 14" and did pick off many sleeping fish before I figured out that it was him.

Edit: I wanted to add that I fed mine 3 decent sized sea scallops daily and he still got all 5 of my anthias, 3 large chromis and a wrasse.

Grapcd · Apr 23, 2019

Hi, I have 5 serpent start in my 90g reef for almost 5 years, in the last 4 months I start missing fish ...small and mediun size ... some gobies and 3 wrasse!! ... . I will removed all ...
I have 2 harlequin, one red , one orange and a babded... no greens !!!