predatory starfish?!

actually right now i'm half-tempted to chop him up and see if he regenerates into multiple starfish. that wouldn't be cruel, would it?

 

[quote author=bpayh link=board=Inverts;num=1098680686;start=0#10 date=10/27/04 at 20:25:06]actually right now i'm half-tempted to chop him up and see if he regenerates into multiple starfish.  that wouldn't be cruel, would it?[/quote]

Um...yes

 

[quote author=bpayh link=board=Inverts;num=1098680686;start=0#0 date=10/24/04 at 22:04:46]What I want to know is:
1. Is this REALLY a sand sifting sea star?[/quote]

I don't think so. I could be wrong, but like you, all the ones I have seen are the gray/tan/white camoflage.

Gresham might know.

 

thanks matt
outside sources have confirmed that it is indeed a comb sea star and highly predatory--it'll eat anything it can get its arms on

 

Jay,

The green Ophiuroids are fairly aggressive as you have noted. I lost a very large 6-line wrasse to one. The bright yellow ones are pretty aggressive as well. Basically, if it is a brittlestar and it is brightly colored, be careful.

Here's an article by Susan Hottenrott who researches starfish.
http://home.att.net/~ophiuroid/html/aquarium.html

 

Whew...good thing I got a brown brittle star. It only attacks dead stuff ;D