Feeding brittle star

Discussion in 'Inverts' started by Mikachase, May 7, 2008.

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  1. Mikachase

    Mikachase Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2008
    Messages:
    59
    Location:
    nebraska
    I have a brittle star fish. I have had it for about 2 weeks now I give him silver sides every few days. Is there anything else I need to be doing with him? Am I feeding him too much/too little? Any advise would be welcome. Thanks.:)
     
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  3. Tangster

    Tangster 3reef Sponsor

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2006
    Messages:
    5,644
    Location:
    Va/Ct
    Yes stop feeding it , and you do know they are not totally reef safe , Its job in nature is to come out at night and clean the reef and it does not need to be fed by hand it won't want to do its intended natural job. Plus what goes in the tank just turns to waste that has to be processed and filtered and broken down.. Let it do its job and stop feeding it.
     
  4. coral reefer

    coral reefer Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2006
    Messages:
    4,860
    Location:
    Wonderland
    I have numerous serpent sea stars in my tank and feel they are safer on your reef tank.
    I have maintained these inverts for years and don't target feed them except for a rare occassion.
    As Tangster stated, you don't need to feed them as they are omnivores that are opportunistic feeders. They will feed on detritus, uneaten foods, pods small fish that they can catch(especially in the case of the emerald sea star).
     
  5. Mikachase

    Mikachase Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2008
    Messages:
    59
    Location:
    nebraska
    I only have 1 clown fish in the tank with him and I dont feed her that much mysis shrimp once a week and feed her pellets the rest of the time and bc it is the only fish that I am feeding I watch her eat and only put in the pellets as she eats them. So there isnt much if any food for him to eat.
     
  6. nemo1991

    nemo1991 Millepora

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2008
    Messages:
    907
    Location:
    rocklin
    well first, if its a green brittle star get it outta there, they will raise them selves off of the tank bottom and make like a stand, there round center being at the top, and stay like that for a long time, and when the fish swims through......BAM! he catches it, and then eats it, no it all too well : /