Starfish Issue

[KevenKemp]

Yes I am new at the saltwater world. Been keeping fish for 40 years, just about a year ago I started a 55 gallon saltwater tank. I have recently purchased a chocolate chip starfish (yeah the "beginners" starfish). All I have read and research does not tell me why it is preferring to stay at the top of my water line. Can anyone give advice ?

 

[saltyhog]

Not sure what that behavior means. Hopefully some of the guys have an idea. #reefsquad

Is this a fish only tank? Chocolate chip starfish are not considered reef safe as they can eat soft corals, tube worms and even other star fish. They can also get very large.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Not sure what that behavior means. Hopefully some of the guys have an idea. #reefsquad

Is this a fish only tank? Chocolate chip starfish are not considered reef safe as they can eat soft corals, tube worms and even other star fish. They can also get very large.

And typically won't live long in captivity. Respectfully.

@KevenKemp, how did you acclimate the starfish?

 

[smlarson72]

He could be hungry. Mine will settle on the clams that I put in for my Valentini puffer. LOVES them.

 

[Mical]

Yes I am new at the saltwater world. Been keeping fish for 40 years, just about a year ago I started a 55 gallon saltwater tank. I have recently purchased a chocolate chip starfish (yeah the "beginners" starfish). All I have read and research does not tell me why it is preferring to stay at the top of my water line. Can anyone give advice ?

First off Welcome to R2R.

Next as mentioned hopefully this is a fish only tank, C-chip starfish are lawn-mowers of coral & algae. Hanging at the top of the tank is pretty normal but usually a sign of low flow in the tank. (they can deal w/flow) They like flow & light.

 

[Ron Reefman]

Kevin, welcome to Reef2Reef!

I've never had a chocolate chip star, but other stars (non serpent/brittle stars) do similar behaviors.

 

[Gareth elliott]

They pretty much go all over the tank looking for food. They are always eating.

How old is the tank and what are you feeding.

They have some of the better survival rates amongst sea stars commonly kept, but they do need to be fed and have ready access to food as they dont have huge stores, they will slowly consume their own tissue if can’t get enough external energy.

 

[KevenKemp]

Not sure what that behavior means. Hopefully some of the guys have an idea. #reefsquad

Is this a fish only tank? Chocolate chip starfish are not considered reef safe as they can eat soft corals, tube worms and even other star fish. They can also get very large.

As of right now yes it is. I was unaware at the time of purchase that if the starfish was not well fed it would chew on my coral, once I get to that stage anyway.

 

[KevenKemp]

Kevin, welcome to Reef2Reef!

I've never had a chocolate chip star, but other stars (non serpent/brittle stars) do similar behaviors.

Thank you for the answer, as long as it is not a sign of distress I will see if it settles down a little and seems healthy.

 

[KevenKemp]

They pretty much go all over the tank looking for food. They are always eating.

How old is the tank and what are you feeding.

They have some of the better survival rates amongst sea stars commonly kept, but they do need to be fed and have ready access to food as they dont have huge stores, they will slowly consume their own tissue if can’t get enough external energy.

The tank is 1 year old. As of right now I only have 2 clowns, 2 yellowtail blue damsel's, 4 snails,2 shrimp, and 3 or 4 hermit crabs. I feed pellets in the morning, then brine shrimp, plankton, or blood worms at night. I use a turkey baster to feed the fish right were they are. The starfish does not seem to be eating, I have had it for 3 weeks now so I guess he is cruising the bottom at night to find food.

 

[GoVols]

As of right now yes it is. I was unaware at the time of purchase that if the starfish was not well fed it would chew on my coral, once I get to that stage anyway.

Hello Kevin

If your your running a reef setup, I'd take it back.

Chocolate Chips are not a reef safe species of starfish.

 

[Mical]

As of right now yes it is. I was unaware at the time of purchase that if the starfish was not well fed it would chew on my coral, once I get to that stage anyway.

Besides not being reef safe, I had one years ago in fish only tank and it started chewing through powerhead cables.