Green brittle star reef safe?

[xxkenny90xx]

Brittle and serpent stars are some of my favorite creatures. I've got a brown brittle (12"), an orange serpent (8"), and a tan and red striped serpent (5") and they're all great in my reef. Yesterday I picked up a small green serpent and threw it in my fuge but Id like to put it in my dt. I've heard the rumors about greens being killers but question if they're really any different than the other colors. So my question, have any of you actually witnessed green brittle starfish attacking live, healthy fish?

 

[Johniejumbo]

I would like to know too. Following along.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

HELLO hello hello hello (echos)

 

[Johniejumbo]

;Hilarious

 

[Leslie Tabor]

I would love to help but I too have no idea. :confused: ;Sorry

 

[Biokabe]

I haven't ever had one in my tank, but I have seen videos of them attacking, killing and consuming healthy fish in the aquarium.

 

[Big E]

Years ago before this was known I lost clownfish and anthias to one I had. They get very large and are active/bold to the point that they will come out when the fish are fed to grab food.

This is a nice short summary--

https://www.saltwatersmarts.com/green-brittle-star-little-fishy-beware-ophiarachna-incrassata-5839/

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Thanks guys. He's still in the sump. Hmm I wonder if my marine giant hermit in my other tank would leave him be...

 

[Anastyllo]

Brittle and serpent stars are some of my favorite creatures. I've got a brown brittle (12"), an orange serpent (8"), and a tan and red striped serpent (5") and they're all great in my reef. Yesterday I picked up a small green serpent and threw it in my fuge but Id like to put it in my dt. I've heard the rumors about greens being killers but question if they're really any different than the other colors. So my question, have any of you actually witnessed green brittle starfish attacking live, healthy fish?

We started the tank with a green brittle star and 3 small fish (can’t remember the name) one died and that star fish ate it but after that, the other 2 fish disappeared. Literally gone. The only inhabitants were those 4. So, yes, I totally believe the star fish will eat healthy fish.

 

[csb123]

I’ve lost fish to them as well. Green serpent star of DEATH.

 

[User1]

Yes, and, well, no. The million dollar question is what type of green brittle star do you have? Meaning several may look similar or labelled incorrectly you need to know to answer correctly. Long and short of it is this though.

If you purchased Ophiarachna incrassata then the answer is no. Do not pass go and head to jail (aka the sump) or return it. Link below. It is a nocturnal predator and I know because I made a mistake of buying one for my first tank back in 1999. Read below and your questions should be answered!

http://echinoblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/giant-green-brittle-stars-of-death-when.html

 

[Alanmayer1]

Brittle and serpent stars are some of my favorite creatures. I've got a brown brittle (12"), an orange serpent (8"), and a tan and red striped serpent (5") and they're all great in my reef. Yesterday I picked up a small green serpent and threw it in my fuge but Id like to put it in my dt. I've heard the rumors about greens being killers but question if they're really any different than the other colors. So my question, have any of you actually witnessed green brittle starfish attacking live, healthy fish?

In my experience, they will eat anything they can catch (not corals) they cannot catch fish but snails are fair game

 

[SlugSnorter]

In my experience, they will eat anything they can catch (not corals) they cannot catch fish but snails are fair game

This is a 2 yr old thread...

 

[TitusStar]

In my experience, they will eat anything they can catch (not corals) they cannot catch fish but snails are fair game

Will it catch my clownfish goby? I am very worried

 

[msp777]

Hi..
Yes I've had one for a few years, great scavenger roamed around at night but if he's hungry he will rise up and trap fish or anything he can over power, under him with his legs and spines..
Anything bottom oriented is at risk..
I've lost lawnmower goby, flame hawkfish, very small hippo tang and even a green sea hare..
But he is super cool..
Snails, hermit crabs, angels, clowns, Bta's, shrimp all to fast or too well protected..
Goodluck