Brittle Sea Star

[Scubabum]

Has anyone ever seen a Brittle Starfish damage the flesh of an SPS coral? I had a frag that part of the flesh seemed to be stripped overnight. I still see polyps but the flesh is completely white.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I'd be surprised if a brittle star would kill corals. It might be there to eat the dead tissue, but I've never seen one cause the death of corals. Are we talking the mini brittle stars, or the larger cousins, which have been known to munch on snails, crabs and even fish?

You might have some STN/RTN going on.

 

[Scubabum]

I'd be surprised if a brittle star would kill corals. It might be there to eat the dead tissue, but I've never seen one cause the death of corals. Are we talking the mini brittle stars, or the larger cousins, which have been known to munch on snails, crabs and even fish?

You might have some STN/RTN going on.

It's the large Black brittle star. It is HUGE! I have had it for over 15 years. Never been a problem in the past.

 

[LetItReef]

If you can snap a pic of HUGE Bristle.

 

[Scubabum]

If you can snap a pic of HUGE Bristle.

He is always hidden under my live rock except at night. His legs are probably 12 inches long. I have had him in my tank for 15+ years.