Extracting a brittle star

Vauche · 07/31/2008, 09:06 PM

It would seem that I have a "brittle star", didn't know it, didn't really want it, still don't know if I should keep it. It apparently hitched it's way in on some zoas. It seemes to think that where the zoas are attached to the plug is a good place to hide. Since I didn't buy it I haven't done a whole lot of research on them so I am looking for the pro's and cons. So far all I have seen is two arms, they are very small, can't really tell you what color.
My main goal, like many, is a mandarin so if this dude will be competition or dangerous I would prefer to get him out quickly while I know where he is. Any ideas?

Thanks

otrlynn · 07/31/2008, 09:15 PM

Are you speaking of the mini brittle stars--the head is about the size of a large pin head and the legs are thread-like? If so, I have read here on RC that they are harmless. I have a bunch of them in my tank, often around the zoas. They seem to cause no harm to the tank or its inhabitants.

Maxi · 07/31/2008, 09:31 PM

Leave it in your tank. You won't even notice it..! (unless you are looking for it)

Vauche · 07/31/2008, 09:39 PM

Well that makes me feel better.

As to your question otrlynn- that is part of my problem. To this point positive ID is beyond capability. I haven't seen the head just the the legs. And yes, at least I can say the thread-like would be a good description.

Again, thanks for the quick replies.

Rob_Zamites · 08/01/2008, 08:49 AM

They're great detritivores. Leave 'em alone

07/31/2008, 09:06 PM	#1
Vauche Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 340	Extracting a brittle star It would seem that I have a "brittle star", didn't know it, didn't really want it, still don't know if I should keep it. It apparently hitched it's way in on some zoas. It seemes to think that where the zoas are attached to the plug is a good place to hide. Since I didn't buy it I haven't done a whole lot of research on them so I am looking for the pro's and cons. So far all I have seen is two arms, they are very small, can't really tell you what color. My main goal, like many, is a mandarin so if this dude will be competition or dangerous I would prefer to get him out quickly while I know where he is. Any ideas? Thanks

07/31/2008, 09:15 PM	#2
otrlynn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chester County PA Posts: 1,508	Are you speaking of the mini brittle stars--the head is about the size of a large pin head and the legs are thread-like? If so, I have read here on RC that they are harmless. I have a bunch of them in my tank, often around the zoas. They seem to cause no harm to the tank or its inhabitants. __________________ Lynn 1 horse, 1 dog, 2 cats, small pond with a few koi. The fish tank is gone.

08/01/2008, 08:49 AM	#5
Rob_Zamites Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Tropical Michigan Posts: 76	They're great detritivores. Leave 'em alone __________________ "You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline. It helps if you have some kind of a football team, or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer." --- Frank Zappa Current Tank Info: Nano Wave 9

07/31/2008, 09:31 PM	#3
Maxi Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 1,381	Leave it in your tank. You won't even notice it..! (unless you are looking for it)

07/31/2008, 09:39 PM	#4
Vauche Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 340	Well that makes me feel better. As to your question otrlynn- that is part of my problem. To this point positive ID is beyond capability. I haven't seen the head just the the legs. And yes, at least I can say the thread-like would be a good description. Again, thanks for the quick replies.