Diamond Goby vs the Star fish

xhoosier · 12-11-2004, 04:59 PM

hi,

I got a new orange starfish last week and he slowly worked his way across the liverock. A couple of days ago it looked like he was trying to hide under a rock that the diamond goby was living under. yesterday I noticed that the starfish was barely visible under the rock and I hadn't seen the goby recently. So, I reached in and pulled at the starfish legs. He came out but was all chewed up and very dead! Do gobies hate starfish normally or was it a intrusion the goby couldn't live with? Any ideas? I hate to get a new starfish and have it happen again!

thanks,
mark

reefkpr391 · 12-11-2004, 05:15 PM

If you noticed, the goby probably did not bother the star until it intruded on it's home. Since the star really can't fight back, the goby found it easy to beat it up because it was intruding. ALL animals will protect their territory to some degree. I once was diving and reached out at a tip of a rock, a 2" damsel literally attacked my hand, nipped at it several times until I moved it away. So, some may be more daring, such as clowns and damsels, most will defend their home when in jeopardy.