predator for tiny brittle stars

[coralcouple]

We are overrun with tiny brittle stars.
Not talking about the white asterina stars.
These are the very small brittle stars.
They are in plague proportions in our aquariums.
We got some harlequin shrimp that have made fast work of our asterina star problem but they don't seem to like the brittle stars.
Any advice on what to do with an overabundance of these? :squigglemouth::squigglemouth:

 

[EricInFL]

Are they actually harming anything in your tank? They're great detrivores and will help your tanks stay clean. Try trading them with your LFS, or you can pack a bunch up and ship them to me. :)

 

[Tanked]

++1 on sending me some.

 

[Slick]

perhaps arrow crabs will eat them? or those red and white fish with the long snouts? i forget what their called. Longnosed hawkfish!
Slick

 

[acronautical]

I've always viewed the proliferation of tiny brittle stars as a sign of a very healthy system. One of the nicest tanks I've seen was a friend's who had a large number of them, constantly cleaning the live rock and sand.

 

[MikeB]

Harlequin Shrimp will tear them up

 

[inactive]

Harlequin Shrimp will tear them up

Bongo Shrimp will take care of the macro brittles.

 

[Pitcom]

+1 on the Harlequin, they will demolish them in short order. But honestly, the tiny brittles are fantastic star fish.n No real need to get rid of them IMO.

 

[bamachamp92]

Ive never seen a harlequin eat micro brittles, but I think you could trade them or sell them cheap and get rid of a bunch of them.

 

[Lazys Coral House]

Coral Banded Shrimp will take care of them as well.

 

[inactive]

All the micro brittles that live in my LPS steal food from them :(

 

[cee]

Halichoeres sp. wrasses will do a number on them. Mine always has one in his mouth.

 

[rng_pw]

I have seen my harlequin shrimp eat them before.