Reef safe stars

Im interested in adding a star or two to my reef tank. I was wondering if you guys might share some experience on the good and bad. Thanks!!!

 

Here's a bump for your thread...

Starfish16 has had a red Fromia sea star in her reef tank for quite a while, now. AFAIK, it's still doing well without any issues. If she (or nobody else) chimes in, you might try sending her a PM.

 

I have had fromia and linkia. I like them, but they always ended up meeting an early demise due to either a vortech pump or my overflows.

 

Fromia,linkia,birttle,serpent,are for the most part it.linkias are better left for well established large tanks.fromias are alittle easier but should still be in a fairly established tank ...brittle and serpent should do fine anywhere as they are scavengers....the sand sifting stars are very cool but generally die of starvation so I would avoid them though they are reef safe.

 

Sand sifting stars should not be placed in reef tanks. They kill all the beneficial micro fauna in a sand bed then die themselves. They have no place in the typical hobbyists tank.


I completely didn't think about serpeant and brittle stars. They are GREAT additions.

 

Unless your wife/girlfriend is afraid of them....in that case, avoid them like the plague or you'll never hear the end of it...

 

IMO,Sepents and brittle stars are coral safe but bigger serpents and brittles (i'm thinking mainly the green brittles,if my memory serves right) have been known to snatch small fish (probably while sleeping),however,I have 2 medium sized black brittles that have been model citizens and great scavengers,although rarely seen.Both serpents and brittles are nocturnal and hide 99% of the time,I don't consider them as additions to my tank,just unseen members of my cuc.If you want a starfish for show,neither of these are it.

Fromias and linkias seem to do well in some tanks,and die in others,both are beautiful and reef safe,but they have dietary needs that not all tanks provide,even though well established.If we knew what these needs were,I think many of us would have at least one of these in our tanks,I know I would,lol.

And I agree sand sifters shouldn't even be on the market,like already mentioned,after they deplete and terrorize your sandbed and shift rocks around,they usually slowly stave to death.IMO,thier best chances for keeping long term are only in huge well established tanks.

 

yeah, green brittle stars can be quite the terrorists on small fish. Micro brittles are the bomb though.

 

oh man. lots of good stuff guys. kinda thinking that stars might not be what i want my tank. i do have a couple small cardinals and a royal gramma and some smaller shrimp. . i think i am going to keep it as is. seems that if one doesnt eat the small stuff in my tank they are nocturnal and you dont ever see them. sooo ill just hold out.