chocolate chip starfish

[FishHunter8]

I added 2 of them about 3 hours ago. One has moved all over the place, and the other has not moved at all. Is this normal?

[Cali Kid]

Not sure if your already aware of this, but if my memory serves me correctly these guys are predators. But maybe thats what you were after.

Maybe someone else can confirm this.

Not sure on the behavior as far as movement.

Sean

[Mrs Smith]

Chocos, like all stars, need long acclimation times (on the order of 4 hours or so.) If one is doing fine and you followed the same procedure with both, they will probably both be fine. It's always hard to know at first, not to mention the differences in the way they were collected or handled. Just keep an eye on them, as there isn't really anything you can do.

And yes, they are predators. They will eat corals and clams, and darned expensive ones at that. Definitely not reef-safe, but if you don't have a reef (meaning, corals), you wouldn't have to worry about that.

Danielle

[Doug1]

if that behaviour lasts more than 24 -36 hrs I would be alarmed, but as stated CCstars are predators and not reef friendly , FWIW

[fishinchick]

thats probably not a good thing that the other hasnt moved. You took a long time to acclimate them I assume??

Chocolate chip starfish are predators and not suitable for reef aquariums.
Read this:
http://www.marinedepotlive.com/1303634.html

[Cali Kid]

Oh one other thing to take into consideration is that not only do they require a tedious acclimation, but are quite particular about the SG level they are kept in. I believe the desired SG is 1.025

again maybe some back-up on this info.

Sean

[FishHunter8]

Thanks for the help, they are both doing good now, i was aware they eat corals. As of now i wasent going to get corals but i will see in the future. Do the eat hermit crabs, snails, or shrimp?

[JennM]

Yes they eat snails and about anything else they can get their lil tube feet on

I never take 4 hours to acclimate anything in the shop -- IMO that's too long. Water in the bag can go foul a lot sooner than that...but that's another post.

I've seen choc. chips in a tank with SG at 1.014 -- I was surprised they were still alive. I was called in for a consultation by somebody who wasn't happy with their (now former) aquarium service provider. I observed low SG, painfully low alk, low pH and high nitrates before I started working on the tank... and those choc chips were pretty tough.

On the other hand, I've also seen them (elsewhere) melt down for no apparent reason.

Jenn

[FishHunter8]

well i just had a good talk with my parents and they decided they will fund me to do a flow blown reef tank(YAHOO) so im taking the starfish back.

[Cali Kid]

Uhhh.....I'm up for adoption

I'm only free and half years old

Very cool!

Sean