Serpent Star?

River

Hi! Please click on my aquarium and check out the pics of a serpent star I bought 2 weeks ago from my LFS. Ever since I brought him home I've had a nagging feeling, and the more pictures I see the less I think he's a serpent star. Is he a green brittle star? The scary one that will capture and eat all my fish when they aren't paying attention?

bettababy

That is indeed a green brittle star, but don't let it scare you. I have kept them for years and have never had a problem with them eating my fish or other inverts. The worst problem I've experienced yet was that they tend to over eat when you feed them, so you have to really keep an eye on how much food you offer at a time. I had 1 that ate until it ruptured its disk, and while it did eventually heal completely, it was a touchy situation and I learned a valuable lesson from it. They love formula 1 frozen food.

What fish do you all have in that tank and how much live rock? If the habitat is set up properly there should be no reason this starfish can't coexist with your other fish.

River

I've about 100 lbs of live rock in a 55 gallon tank. I really only see him at feeding time and at night. I do have 2 clownfish and a bubble anenome. The star was one of my first inhabitants. He has eaten a fire shrimp, but I don't think he killed it.
Also in the tank are a galaxia coral, 2 mushrooms, a banded coral shrimp, 5 hermit crabs and a bunch of snails.

bettababy

Thats not a mixture I would be worrying about. Green brittles will eat something if it dies, but they are not so aggressive they will hunt down fish unless they are starving, and even then that is rare.

aunt kymmie

I've nothing to add other than that is a very cool looking starfish. I'm glad that it will work in your tank and that you get to keep it!