The crazy petco lady

mark2103 · Apr 11, 2017

Today I had to make a stop by a petco that I love across the street from. I went there for fish food since I was running low. I also looked through the livestock and remembered I needed a replenishing of clean up crew in my tank which is a FOWLR. I then asked the lady for 1 turbo snail, 5 hermits and a chocolate chip seastar. Here is when it got interesting. She insisted I should not get the starfish because I quote " The starfish will eat your live rock making it dry rock." I thought this was absolutely ridiculous because I have never heard of such a thing. So they prevented me from making the purchase.

Was this person telling the truth? I have looked up on it and couldent find anything about what she said all I could find is they eat coral but as stated I have a FOWlR.

Any similar experiences from you guys?

Holy_makerel · Apr 11, 2017

Read about some starfish scraping coraline off of rocks but I totally disagree with what she told you. #fakenews!

4FordFamily · Apr 11, 2017

Well, chocolate chip starfish aren't reef safe, perhaps that's what she meant or should have said... but you're putting the starfish in a FOWLR so I am at a loss..

Maddlesrain · Apr 11, 2017

lol considering the rock will still be underwater, I don't believe it can be considered dry (; (; (;

Haha but all kidding aside, I don't think it'd do much other than scrape some algae off the rocks as mentioned above.

Mike N · Apr 11, 2017

Yeah, complete nonsense.

BoomCorals · Apr 11, 2017

Starfish don't eat nitrifying bacteria. Which is what makes it live rock. So she has no idea. But it is petco after all. Expectations should be very low.