Brittle Star

msduncan · 08/07/2006, 10:31 AM

Got a Brittle Star (not green!). When I put him in the tank after acclimation, he crawled into a hole and stayed there for about 12 hours. After that he crawled from that hole into a different cave like area and has stayed there for over 24 hours.

He's not been out roaming the tank eating. Is this normal behavior for the first few days?

nickterp · 08/07/2006, 10:46 AM

Yes, during the day especially they like to stay out of sight and hidden. Mine personally will keep one or two arms just barely sticking out ready to detect food nearby

. Sometimes when I add food he'll leap out and start grabbing everything he can. (I think he may do this when he's extra hungry, as sometimes he doesn't do this for a few days).

Try watching the tank for a while after the lights are out, dim the room lights too, he may come out then. Besides that, don't worry. Good luck!

boz151 · 08/07/2006, 12:51 PM

keep an eye on him. Mine (also not green) was a predator. Killed a six-line wrasse and numerous emerald crabs and shrimp. The moral of the story, keep hm well fed, or he will feed himself...

msduncan · 08/07/2006, 01:00 PM

Kinda creeps me out the way you say that. Makes me have dreams of the star creeping into my bedroom while I'm asleep and pouncing....

msduncan · 08/07/2006, 01:00 PM

What should I suppliment him with as far as food?

nickterp · 08/07/2006, 01:06 PM

Don't want to alarm you... but they will occasionally crawl into bedrooms to supplement their diet with human blood.....

Just kidding of course.... sorry couldn't resist.

My brittle star will basically eat any food that drops to the bottom of the tank. Try out some various foods and make sure some is drifting to the bottom, or you could drop some stuff down there with some tongs or something. Sinking pellets could be good, because he can scavage what the other fish don't see.

08/07/2006, 10:31 AM	#1
msduncan Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 164	Brittle Star Got a Brittle Star (not green!). When I put him in the tank after acclimation, he crawled into a hole and stayed there for about 12 hours. After that he crawled from that hole into a different cave like area and has stayed there for over 24 hours. He's not been out roaming the tank eating. Is this normal behavior for the first few days?

08/07/2006, 10:46 AM	#2
nickterp Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 263	Yes, during the day especially they like to stay out of sight and hidden. Mine personally will keep one or two arms just barely sticking out ready to detect food nearby . Sometimes when I add food he'll leap out and start grabbing everything he can. (I think he may do this when he's extra hungry, as sometimes he doesn't do this for a few days). Try watching the tank for a while after the lights are out, dim the room lights too, he may come out then. Besides that, don't worry. Good luck!

08/07/2006, 12:51 PM	#3
boz151 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 317	keep an eye on him. Mine (also not green) was a predator. Killed a six-line wrasse and numerous emerald crabs and shrimp. The moral of the story, keep hm well fed, or he will feed himself...

08/07/2006, 01:00 PM	#4
msduncan Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 164	Kinda creeps me out the way you say that. Makes me have dreams of the star creeping into my bedroom while I'm asleep and pouncing....

08/07/2006, 01:06 PM	#6
nickterp Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 263	Don't want to alarm you... but they will occasionally crawl into bedrooms to supplement their diet with human blood..... Just kidding of course.... sorry couldn't resist. My brittle star will basically eat any food that drops to the bottom of the tank. Try out some various foods and make sure some is drifting to the bottom, or you could drop some stuff down there with some tongs or something. Sinking pellets could be good, because he can scavage what the other fish don't see.