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| General Reef Discussion In this forum we discuss issues related to keeping marine and reef aquariums in a friendly flame-free environment. |
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04-14-2009, 11:53 PM
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#1
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Highland Heights, KY
Posts: 781
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anyone have experience with serpent or brittle starfish?
Had one of each come in with my clean up crew tonight. Live aquaria lists them under the cleanup crew section but recommends a suppliment of chopped meat.
What does everyone feed them here?
I'm assuming its by hand-feeding, which the guy at the LFS was doing.
Any other tips for these guys?
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04-15-2009, 12:09 AM
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#2
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Hotty Toddy !!
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Canton, MS
Posts: 91
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I've had a serpent for about 6 months. I've fed it pieces of raw shrimp a few times,but other than that, I haven't done squat for it. I've heard they're almost bullet proof. Mine has lived through Pimafix, Melafix, Ich Attack, etc. Still kickin'
I think they'll eat anything they can get their skinny little arms around. |
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04-15-2009, 01:04 AM
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#3
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This Space For Rent!
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 2,213
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Serpents and Brittles are pretty hardy as far as stars go...not sure I would use the term "bullet proof", as all stars are pretty sensitive...so long as you acclimate well they will likely do well for you...I do feed mine a little piece of "meaty" food every once and a while...mostly they will stay semi-hidden during the day and scavange at night.
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125 Reef + 55 Gallon Sump + 10 Gallon Frag Tank + 24 Gallon Aquapod Nano Reef + 24 Gallon Aquapod Nano Reef + 24 Gallon Cardiff Nano Reef
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04-15-2009, 03:10 AM
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#4
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: new zealand
Posts: 162
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mine would hide under a rock when the lights were on i would just put brine in the hole were he was at and he would go crazy for it i fed him once a week
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04-15-2009, 06:59 AM
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#5
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I've got the REEF rash!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 34,177
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They'll find food and if it's green,if it's hungry it will eat your fish.
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04-15-2009, 08:50 AM
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#6
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: southwest florida
Posts: 140
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I have never been able to keep brittle stars alive for more than a few weeks. I've got serpents that I've had for 6 years or more. I've also got green ones that are absolutely no problem whatsoever. All of mine are from the Keys or the Gulf of Mexico. I've probably got about 20 spread out between 3 tanks. |
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04-15-2009, 05:50 PM
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#7
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Keeper of the Kracken
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Martin, SC
Posts: 11,407
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I have a brittle star that has been in my tank for over 2 years and is huge. It has never caused any trouble in the tank, and I have never directly fed it.
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04-15-2009, 07:49 PM
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#8
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Highland Heights, KY
Posts: 781
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great to hear guys! My brittle came in at about 8" across, the serpent about 4 or 5". The serpents out a lot, moving around the tank eating, but the brittle stays pretty hidden with just the tips of his arms hanging out.
I need to get a red light to see what he's up to at night.
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04-15-2009, 08:31 PM
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#9
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Enfield, CT
Posts: 720
Reviews: 19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Loverotties
They'll find food and if it's green,if it's hungry it will eat your fish.
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only the green ones will eat you fish? because the guy at the lfs told me to be very weary of serpant/ brittle stars bc of that reason.
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04-15-2009, 09:11 PM
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#10
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Son of Jor El
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Springfield MO
Posts: 4,615
Reviews: 52
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gabriel
only the green ones will eat you fish? because the guy at the lfs told me to be very weary of serpant/ brittle stars bc of that reason.
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I have always found it hard to believe a serpent or brittle star could catch a healthy fish. I had one in a tank for 2 years w/o problems and 9 months in this one without an issue, both greens, no special feedings.
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Jeremy http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f7...ef-119089.html
Did I ever tell you about the time Brasky went hunting? Well anyway, Brasky decides he's gonna hunt down all four members of the Banana Splits. He stalks and kills every one of them with a machete. They all beg for their lives, except Fleagul.
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04-16-2009, 12:21 AM
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#11
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Enfield, CT
Posts: 720
Reviews: 19
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so these two types of starfish are safe right because im dieing to get a few sea stars in my tank. |
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04-16-2009, 05:45 PM
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#12
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This Space For Rent!
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 2,213
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gabriel
so these two types of starfish are safe right because im dieing to get a few sea stars in my tank.
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Green Brittle stars are reputed to catch/eat small fish...most anything else classed as a Brittle or Serpent Star should be OK and just a good scavanger...look for the red Serpents if you can find them...a bit more colorful than the standard brownish/green ones.
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125 Reef + 55 Gallon Sump + 10 Gallon Frag Tank + 24 Gallon Aquapod Nano Reef + 24 Gallon Aquapod Nano Reef + 24 Gallon Cardiff Nano Reef
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04-16-2009, 10:28 PM
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#13
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I've got the REEF rash!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 34,177
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Green ones watch out.
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04-16-2009, 11:02 PM
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#14
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: new zealand
Posts: 162
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Loverotties
Green ones watch out.
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how come?
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