New Serpent Starfish...

[alexandra26]

Hello everyone,

Today, I went to my LFS and purchased a serpent starfish for my 75 gallon tank. One of the employees said it would be fine in my tank, and I’ve read up on it a little before buying it. I thought that everything would be okay, until I started reading up more about what the serpent starfish eat. I came across a few things where people claimed their serpents were eating small and slow fish, especially during the night. Being as paranoid as I am, I’m starting to panic. I have clownfish, damsels, a CUC (snails, hermit crabs, conch, emerald crab, other starfish), anemones, feather dusters, and a flame scallop. Should I have any concerns? I don’t want it to eat its tankmates... If it is an issue, I also have another 75g that has a porcupine puffer and a snowflake moray eel. I feel like the serpent star wouldn’t be safe, but I’m not sure. Does anyone have any experience with serpent starfish?

 

[Ron Reefman]

I've had 3 or 4 serpent and brittle stars in my old 40g and now in my 90g tank. I've never had any issues with the stars. They do clean up. And all of mine were wild caught in the Florida Keys!

 

[ReefStable]

Though each fish/invert can behave differently, for the most part you will likely be fine. Usually, these starfish can only catch REALLY slow fish, meaning they likely weren't likely to live anyway. Generally it will eat only sick fish. If you want to prevent any concern, you can feed the starfish krill and shrimp. Like most fish, keeping it fed will prevent agressive behavior.

Hope this helps :)

 

[alexandra26]

Thanks for the replies!

I did feed it some shrimp last night, and he ate it. I didn’t see any missing fish this morning, so I’m going to be optimistic :):)

 

[ReefStable]

Thanks for the replies!

I did feed it some shrimp last night, and he ate it. I didn’t see any missing fish this morning, so I’m going to be optimistic :):)

I have 2 in my tank with wrasse, clownfish, and a cardinal with no problems. They usually stay in their "caves". One comes out when it smells food, but that's about it.

 

[Billdogg]

IME, only the green and red serpent stars are predatory. They can also get very large. The more common brown and harlequin serpents are just fine, as are most brittle stars

 

[alexandra26]

Mine is like a brownish/maroon color, thankfully. It has been hiding since I’ve put it in (except when I fed it shrimp). I think it will be okay...fingers crossed.

 

[User1]

Hello everyone,

Today, I went to my LFS and purchased a serpent starfish for my 75 gallon tank. One of the employees said it would be fine in my tank, and I’ve read up on it a little before buying it. I thought that everything would be okay, until I started reading up more about what the serpent starfish eat. I came across a few things where people claimed their serpents were eating small and slow fish, especially during the night. Being as paranoid as I am, I’m starting to panic. I have clownfish, damsels, a CUC (snails, hermit crabs, conch, emerald crab, other starfish), anemones, feather dusters, and a flame scallop. Should I have any concerns? I don’t want it to eat its tankmates... If it is an issue, I also have another 75g that has a porcupine puffer and a snowflake moray eel. I feel like the serpent star wouldn’t be safe, but I’m not sure. Does anyone have any experience with serpent starfish?

Could you please share what serpent starfish was that you bought? Color, what name they gave you, ans share any photos? The real answer depends on what you purchased. At a high level some information posted here is fine provided it is a bristle star. The orange, red, smooth body types to mixed tan and white, black white, etc are usually fine. They are smaller and scavengers.

On the other hand you said serpent starfish specifically so I right away go to Green Serpent Starfish which is more commonly sold. This is a Ophiarachna incrassata and they do, well, eat fish and anything else they can catch such as crabs and snails. What they do is make a mini cave, refuge point, but raising their body resting on their arms near a rock, hold, etc. Once the fish passes underneath they close and wrap arms and eat the thing they caught. Usually fish.

I've owned one back in 2000 and saw this first hand. Search on green brittle star or Ophiarachna incrassata and see if it matches. Then you will know. And yes, they really do eat fish.

 

[alexandra26]

Could you please share what serpent starfish was that you bought? Color, what name they gave you, ans share any photos? The real answer depends on what you purchased. At a high level some information posted here is fine provided it is a bristle star. The orange, red, smooth body types to mixed tan and white, black white, etc are usually fine. They are smaller and scavengers.

On the other hand you said serpent starfish specifically so I right away go to Green Serpent Starfish which is more commonly sold. This is a Ophiarachna incrassata and they do, well, eat fish and anything else they can catch such as crabs and snails. What they do is make a mini cave, refuge point, but raising their body resting on their arms near a rock, hold, etc. Once the fish passes underneath they close and wrap arms and eat the thing they caught. Usually fish.

I've owned one back in 2000 and saw this first hand. Search on green brittle star or Ophiarachna incrassata and see if it matches. Then you will know. And yes, they really do eat fish.

At my LFS, the tag read “Serpent Starfish” with a generic picture. It’s not a green serpent starfish. It’s more of a brown color with maroon in it. I would share a photo, but unfortunately it is hiding under one of my live rocks at the moment...

 

[alexandra26]

Here is picture from when I first put it in
It’s not a good picture

 

[User1]

Here is picture from when I first put it in
It’s not a good picture

Thanks. Good news is that isn't the Ophiarachna incrassata :) So you can ignore my original reply.

 

[John3]

I have a few that came as hitchhikers from my gulf live rock. I’ve never actually seen them in entirety, just some long arms sticking out from under rock. The arms are a good 4-6” that I can see. I’d bet they are pretty big. I don’t think they ever caused any issues, but I have had some small fish disappear over the years. A six line wrasse, yellow clown goby, and I’m sure something I am forgetting about.

 

[krash7172]

Got a pic of mine eating a snail.

 

[vetteguy53081]

They can or may grab a fish, BUT they dot make a point of hunting prey or fish for survival. I find them peaceful and semi-active

 

[Crabs+Shrimps-69]

IME, only the green and red serpent stars are predatory. They can also get very large. The more common brown and harlequin serpents are just fine, as are most brittle stars

Don't the red ones only get 12cm?

 

[ILOVEYOUHALFISH]

Is this guy safe with fish? It’s more of a brownish color, i had him in my refugium but i just moved it to the display

 

[code4]

I have a tannish one and one almost black. Had them for years, over 10. Model citizens. I worried about them at first.

 

[NanoSteam]

Is this guy safe with fish? It’s more of a brownish color, i had him in my refugium but i just moved it to the display

Yes I have one in my tank now (see my avatar)... fun to have in the tank and mine is very active during feeding. Doesn't hide much either so you can always see it. I do spot feed it some LRS chunks from time to time.

 

[ILOVEYOUHALFISH]

Okay awesome! I was hearing different things, I’ve heard the green brittle star will hunt fish - I agree really cool inverts - thanks for the quick replies!

 

[ILOVEYOUHALFISH]

Coral safe too I’m assuming? Just wanna be sure haha I get super paranoid about so many things in this hobby