Are RED Serpent Stars Reef Safe?

[Pegasis]

Hi All,

I saw a RED Serpent Star and wanted to add it to my reef tank. I was wondering if they are reef safe and will they leave other things alone like fish, shrimp and crabs?

Please let me know your experiences.

Thanks,

Steven

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pegasis@concentric.net

[Rick O]

Hi Steven,

Red serpent stars don't bother anything, but they stay hidden when the lights are on. This pic was taken at night with the lights off. I feed mine shrimp every few days. They let you know when they're hungry.

Rick
http://rogletree.homestead.com/files/starfish02.jpg

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Rick's ReefTank Specs

[Pegasis]

Rick,

Thanks, I will get one. BTW, very nice pic.

Steven

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pegasis@concentric.net

[Doug1]

Steven, I have a red brittle star that exhibits the same behaviour as Ricks Serpent star(BTW the terms are meaningless from the scientific aspect) it looks the same but has the bristles on the sides of the arms, basically looks like red version of the "infamous" green brittle stars, but shy and retiring. I had a large green BS that I loved to watch do the octopus dance at feeding time, but I lost it in one of my tank crashes so when the opportunity to get a large red cheap came up I went for it(red is grandsons fave color) It will snake out tentacles at feeding time but no where near as interesting as the green, but less aggressive to snails and crabs so far.Make sure they get at least a few good sized chunks at feeding time and slowly drip acclimate them if you do go for it. At least one hour per .001 diff in SG, longer is good. Don't be bashful about asking LFS to test SG in source tank at the time of purchase, its not an unreasonable request since many LFS run SG a little lower than NSW
If they run 1.021 and you keep your reef at 1.026 a half hr float and a few scoops of water ain't gonna cut it

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I dont advocate holding marine creatures for ransom but......since you asked
Doug, plank owner
http://hellreef.homestead.com/index.html
www.thereeftank.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/000001.html

[Pegasis]

Hi Doug,

If I understand you correctly, in the example you used, it would take 5 hours to acclimatize the Star? I always use the drip method and take about 45min - 1hr. I just want to make sure so I don't make any mistakes.

Thanks,

Steven

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pegasis@concentric.net

[Doug1]

Yup, at least for the more sensitive critters like sea stars and some snails. Snails are more sensitive than most people realize per Ron Shimek, and benefit from slower acclimation times, which may reduce mortality rates.

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I dont advocate holding marine creatures for ransom but......since you asked
Doug, plank owner
http://hellreef.homestead.com/index.html
www.thereeftank.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/000001.html

[Pegasis]

Doug,

Thanks for that info. I will set up a special tank for the acclimatization of the star with a heater and powerhead and gradually drip the tank water in until the waters are matched.

Thanks again,

Steven

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pegasis@concentric.net