serpent and brittle star

[hoginme]

Should you feed these inverts, if so what? I put a piece of squid in the tank today and they went crazy over it. They came out of the rocks quickly and went crazy over it. Is this normal? They have never done this before.

[Doug1]

Serpent and brittle stars make pretty effective scavengers but some of them, particulatly the big green Brittle star are reported to catch and eat fish if not target fed a meaty treat at least a couple times a week.
I have had the green and red brittle star and find the antics of the green ones really neat. Thay are more out going than the other varieties and will dance for food.
Another thought in passing while the serpent stars are usually naked arms and the brittles have the spiny arms, this is a trade designation only and not a valid scientific term

[MontanaRocknReefer]

Hi there!! Just like Doug has stated, I also have a large green brittle star and it is beautiful and a predator!
I imagine they will catch fish but usually sick or dying fish and if kept properly fed they will be a neat addition to your reef.
I feed mine raw chunks of shrimp, scallop and clam and it really loves spirulina discs(100% vegetable food).
I feed mine every other day or maybe longer depending on its movement within the reef. When it is hungry it will come out from the reef and let you know it is time to be fed. Quite an awesome site to witness!! Johnny

[platapus]

I just recently purchased a Green spinny brittle star, and a red serpent star, I have not feed them anything, they come out at night and scanvenger. a couple weeks ago I saw the green brittle triing to eat a blue leg hermit (he was completely wrapped around it) yesterday I put my hand in the tank to pick out a piece of debree, and it came out of the rocks attached on to my finger, I had to shake it off! I did not know that you should feed them, I will try giving it some shrimp when I get home. The serpent star is not as brave or out going as the brittle, but it is still neat to watch.