I have an 81L 20us gallon aquarium and I am wondering what the best type of sea star would be to stock it with I don’t like the serpent ones so is there anything else that is good for my tank ? Bearing in mind I’ve never kept saltwater before
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
Ok I will do that thanks for the tipIf you have never kept starfish before I would avoid all starfish except for the small asterina stars some of which are pest. Keep corals and fish first before even thinking about keeping starfish.
Aren’t those pests ?Asterina is probably the best. They are small and reproduce in tank. Almost all species of asterina are reef safe. The larger stars that can be kept successfully are not reef safe like chocolate chip stars, or are incredibly difficult requiring large mature reefs, like linckia. The others should generally be avoided by most hobbyists. Sand sifting stars destroy beneficial microfauna populations in the sand bed in all but large tanks. Then the various red stars like sea biscuits starve to death.
They are small. They eat coralline algae.Aren’t those pests ?
I’m interested in this statement you made, could you expand on this a little? What exactly do they destroy and why do you think this is a bad thing?Sand sifting stars destroy beneficial microfauna populations in the sand bed in all but large tanks.
I’m interested in this statement you made, could you expand on this a little? What exactly do they destroy and why do you think this is a bad thing?
I kind of knew I wouldn’t be able to get anything to fancy but I’m not going to lie those brittle sea stars look like something out of a horror film I kind of want one they will also be good as some movement when the lights are offNever recommended to get a large or medium sized starfish unless its a brittlestars in a tank so small. As others have said, either they have specialized diets like linkia and sand sifters where they die from starvation in small tanks, or they are coral eats and not reef safe (choco stars).
Safest bet are micro brittle stars. Some asterinas are said to be OK, but that may be a risk, whereas everyone loves having micro brittle stars. Unfortunately the typical nice looking starfishes you see on Finding Nemo are generally always unsuitable for a small reef tank.
Mine only "damage" the coralline but never touched corals or other inverts.Asterina for me is a nightmare and have taken down one if my bam bam zoa colonies
Anything i hate more than one of them is two of them !!
I would be careful with brittle stars as some species are able to catch and eat fish. Make sure to get only those that stay on the rather small side and are known to be safe with fish.+1 vote for brittle! They are nocturnal so a bit less fun to watch since they hide a lot, and really only eat meaty foods so they don't help with algae. But we think it's cool looking and think of it more like another pet rather than a CUC. I imagine he helps eat leftover food the fish don't eat though? Not sure. It is pretty fun to feed him chunks of shrimp directly-he will grab it with his tentacles and pull into his mouth.
Just the green brittles are known fish eaters. I've had my brown one for many years and it's well over a foot long!I would be careful with brittle stars as some species are able to catch and eat fish. Make sure to get only those that stay on the rather small side and are known to be safe with fish.
I didn’t realize there were different kinds. Mine is brown as well and so far I have seen no sort of interest in fish or corals.Just the green brittles are known fish eaters. I've had my brown one for many years and it's well over a foot long!