Brittle starfish

Not an emergency but need to know ASAP

Just received two and thinking about putting one in the display tank and one in the refugium

Is this a good idea or should I just put two in the display tank only

 

how big a system and whats in it

from what i know 1 can be a problem let alone 2

 

I had two doing just fine in my 36g till the crab i recently found decided to completely shred the smaller one to pieces. Should be relatively ok in a 46, or 40B. Just gotta keep an eye on them.

note: they were in the system for the 2yrs prior to me buying the setup.

 

Why would a brittle star be a problem?? I thought they are great CUC members

 

Yes they are great clean up animals what I was wondering is should I put one in my refugium to help stir the sand or will they eat the beneficial things in the refugium

I know they are good for the tank in general but wondering of anyone keeps them in the refugium

 

What kind of Brittle Starfish?Some can grow to a foot in diameter.
Pro's:Very cool to watch.(At feeding time)
Good scavenger.
Cons:Can grow extremely large.
Some types can and will catch and eat fish.
While they will scavenge, target feeding is still necessary.
Can knock things over.
Nocturnal so the only time you will really see them is at feeding time.

While I have owned some types in the past I probably would not put one in a refugium.They are not sand dwellers and will do little to stir the SB.Micro brittles would be a better choice for that.
If you are looking for something to clean and stir the SB try a fighting Conch or some Nassarius snails.

 

Moved to------ Inverts.