Serpent Star

[BlindZide]

I recently got a serpent starfish because my wife liked it and I was trying to keep her happy with my hefty spending on my tank. LFS told me they were reef safe but didn't mention the fact that they will eat inverts.

I woke up and saw this starfish yanking a crab out of its shell and eating it. Am I going to expect this a lot? Should I remove the starfish or crabs?

[SaltWater226]

I have one in my reef for over a yr and all it does is knock over my frags.

P.S. I have cleaner shrimps coral banded shrimp and blood shrimps in the tank

[hoju74]

I added a striped serpent starfish when I first started my 65g. One night I witnessed him trying to get a jawfish out of his burrow. Well, I banished him to the sump and added him back in the tank 8 months later after it was a little more established. It hasn't bothered anyone since.

[crypteria]

To the OP: sounds like your serpent star was really hungry, maybe even desperate to eat. One of my invert books-- I think it's Reef Invertebrates by Calfo and Fenner-- says that in most cases they need to be target fed (since they are relatively large creatures). I feed mine mysis occasionally and it leaves the snails alone, though I did catch it munching on Clavularia polyp once. Hope this helps.

Austin

[aandfsoccr04]

I have a serpent star for over six months and haven't noticed shrimp or hermits disappearing. I don't think it will be a regular trend but every animal is different so I can't be certain.

[BlindZide]

I spot feed mysis every other day and he goes bonkers for it. I'm wondering if I should feed more often then.