Green brittle star requirements

CIDReefer · 08-17-2002, 05:44 PM

Could someone tell me what type of special requirements there are for keeping a green brittle star. One came with my "Janitor" package. Thanks,

Mike

mapster · 08-17-2002, 06:21 PM

Good ol' GBS. I've had one in my tank for a little while now and probably couldn't live without it. They are great scavengers and will make a great addition to your clean-up crew. Slow movers, such as snails or small conchs can be easy prey for these guys. You should spot feed the GBS a least once a week. If he knows a free meal is coming he may be less apt to take a chance on a small, slow moving fish or shrimp. Hes been fine with my cleaners. They try and steal food from him and dance on top of him during feeding time. He seems a little irratated by this but the shrimp are too quick for him. I spot feed mine freeze dried krill 2-3 times a week. They do get big and grow pretty fast.

HTH

MontanaRocknReefer · 08-17-2002, 09:42 PM

I agree with mapster as I have a large green brittle star and I target feed it twice sometimes three times a week. Here is mine:http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/at...=&postid=77059

Sylock · 08-18-2002, 08:23 AM

I've got, and love Nassarius snails, so I shouldn't get a GBS I take it. I thought they were just scavangers of 'dead' type things. Dang, I need more of a variety of scavangers!

mapster · 08-18-2002, 12:57 PM

For me the loss of a few snails is worth having this guy around. Its not like he eats them one after another and picks them off the glass, its more like if one falls over, he will pounce on it. I did watch him grab one of my small fighting conch and eat it for no good reason though. Tough call with nassarius snails, I know they are small and spend a lot of time in the sand, which would make them an easy target for the GBS.

There are other brittle/serpent stars that are smaller and less likely to harm others that would make good scavengers.

billc · 08-18-2002, 06:02 PM

I have a black brittle that lives in the rockwork.. about 8 inch across. Feed him blender mush at least twice a week.. I don't see much of him but he does know when it is dinner time..

Geoff · 08-18-2002, 10:24 PM

GSB's seem to be one of those love em hate em kind of guys. I had several in my tank for a while and I found them tobe mean little buggers. They can boogy when they know it is feeding time. I prefer the smaller stars now. I think i have a 12" or so Black brittle in the tank now, it is greatest thing ever. If you feed your tank a lot then the GSB's seem to be great additions, but watch out when they get hungry.

G~

TerryB10 · 08-19-2002, 02:07 AM

I have kept a large GBS in my reef for many years now. They behave themselves just fine as long as you do not starve them. They should be target fed some seafood of marine origin twice a week or more. They are excellent scavengers but need more to eat than just that. If your GBS doesn't behave then YOU are probably to blame.
Terry B