when can i add a brittle star

[liquidlogic]

when can i add one? when feeding my clowns its a bit hard coz like all clowns they hang at one side of the tank and stay there and unless i target feed them the flakes just get blown away and behind a arock etc. i wont mind as much when i have more corals and fish as they will finish the remainds its just when i have 2 new fish in there. i know its early days so they wont be feeding for a day or 2. just want something that can clean up any mess and unwanted remains,

my tank is 1 mounth old

40 snails and hermits in total. 2 clowns

[Kev]

I would think you would be ok to add now, but others may qualify that better.

I would just add a caution, the green brittle stars are quite predatory. I once lost a beautiful Pyjama Wrasse to one of these monsters. I could not release the fish from its clutches. :mad:

Kev

[course-its-reefsafe]

I'm with Kev, you should be Ok but not with the green one AKA "The green death"

I've got a black one which is over a foot across, but TBH I don't really trust it. It's never taken a fish but its such a big, powerfull thing that I think it easily could if it was hungry. The other problem is I never see it:eek: :D

My tanks a 5 * 2 and I think its just too small for it, all the fish are within easy reach ;) but then, as I say, its never taken one.............yet:eek:

HTH

Chris

ps I should add if i was that worried then i'd sump it but if I was setting up a new tank then I wouldn't add another one. A few snails and hermits wil do as good a job and be much less of a risk

[Kev]

These things can't half move fast when after food. Although I think their method of predation is to sit in wait and close legs around any unsuspecting creature that passes below. The greens are vicious beggars. Be warned.

Kev

[SteveS]

imo you could add one now, tho my own advice would not to add one, ive a black one that hitched a ride on some liverock, its about 16" across. i never see it just the tips of 2 legs collecting food thats about. never bothers anthing else.

imo id add some more hermits, lots of different and interesting shrimps out there to choose from aswell.

steve

[Reefer]

I'm with Steve dont bother with one (I really dont like them!), get one or two cleaner shrimps instead, they are great at eating flake and all other uneaten food.

[Gillybaby]

I've got a black brittle star and I quite like him. He mooches around eating detritus under the rockwork and every now and then comes out for a piece of raw tiger prawn which he takes straight from my hand. But they do get very big and there's always the "will it won't it eat fish" question mark.

If you get put off the brittle star idea, you could always add a serpent star instead. Fantastic wee detritus eaters, pretty colours, fairly active (but mostly at night or under actinics) and just as hardy.

But then, I like starfish and would have loads if I could ;)