Reef Safe? Harlequin Serpent Star

saltman123 · 12/13/2006, 02:10 AM

Are Harlequin Serpent Stars reef safe?

I saw a few that had a body the size of a pea and legs about 1 or 2 inches long at the most.

If so, do they need to be fed or can they live off of the typical growth in a tank?

Anyone give them a thumbs up? or thumbs down?

650-IS350 · 12/13/2006, 10:38 AM

They are much better than green serpents. You can teach it to accept mysis or shrimp pieces... feed it using tongs.

saltman123 · 12/13/2006, 11:15 AM

So they definitely have to be spot fed?

EdKruzel · 12/13/2006, 11:20 AM

They are scavengers and require a food source just as feeding any of the fish in your system.
They don't need to be "spot" fed, any food that comes in their direction or lodged in the rock will be quickly accepted.

Travis L. Stevens · 12/13/2006, 11:20 AM

They are like all other serpent star, detrivores. They eat leftover food, or anything that you hand them. Delsol650, I believe you are referring to the "dreaded" Green Brittle Star's predatory habits. A Serpent Star and a Brittle Star are completely different in many aspects.

FWIW, I have a Harlequin Serpent Star in my tank and it is one of my favorite animals. Like most Serpent and Brittle Stars, it won't be seen often, especially if it is that small. These guys can grow rather large.

lorawalters13 · 12/13/2006, 11:30 AM

I put a Harlequin SS in my tank about 2-3 months ago. I saw him the next day and then didn't see him again until last week. I figured he died until I was trying to figure out why so many frags had ended up in a back corner of my tank and saw his striped legs wrapped around some zoos he drug back there. Mine atleast is a thief and probably won't be staying long.

650-IS350 · 12/13/2006, 03:00 PM

I was talking about spot feed period.. just eliminates the need for the star ( any ) the want to go hunt and if it feels that its not getting/finding enough food to start hunting your livestock.

saltman123 · 12/13/2006, 06:05 PM

what are some things you would/could/should feed zoo frags, a cleaner shrimp, and a harlequin? Mysis?Cylop-eeze?Phyto? I have only heard these names but am not exactly sure what they are all, or who they are best for.

I know lots of things such as zoo's get their needs from lightling mainly so whatever is something that will please the critters without creating too much extra pollution.

MiddletonMark · 12/13/2006, 06:13 PM

I feed mine smaller meaty pieces of food [mysis, DIY fish food, shrimp pieces cut very small] ... but I would strongly recommend direct-feeding them regularly.

Starfish are long-lived animals that [like some others, clams for example] don't show much visible symptoms of starvation until they're dying.

IMO, trying to give it the best care would include regular feedings ... I've got 3 serpent/brittle stars [one like you're interested in], 2 of which are going on 3 years in my tank. Perhaps they'd do fine otherwise - but the fact that I might never have to purchase another starfish for my tank in the next decade is something I'm striving for

saltman123 · 12/13/2006, 09:22 PM

So when you feed them, how exactly do you get the food to stay close enough to them to react without the pump current taking it away? Do you turn your pumps off?

I have a 12 gallon aquapod so there is quite a bit of flow in most areas of the tank other than the back corners.

Just curious if I need to just drop a few pieces in here or there, or need to literally put it near the star till it gets ahold of it. Any specifics on feeding will be helpful.

12/13/2006, 02:10 AM	#1
saltman123 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: CT Posts: 1,048	Reef Safe? Harlequin Serpent Star Are Harlequin Serpent Stars reef safe? I saw a few that had a body the size of a pea and legs about 1 or 2 inches long at the most. If so, do they need to be fed or can they live off of the typical growth in a tank? Anyone give them a thumbs up? or thumbs down? __________________ 12 Gallon Aquapod. 4 Gallon Pico-Coming Soon Current Tank Info: 12 Gallon Aquapod

12/13/2006, 10:38 AM	#2
650-IS350 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 14,555	They are much better than green serpents. You can teach it to accept mysis or shrimp pieces... feed it using tongs. __________________ * RETIRED FROM REEFING * Just enjoying the box of water from afar

12/13/2006, 11:15 AM	#3
saltman123 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: CT Posts: 1,048	So they definitely have to be spot fed? __________________ 12 Gallon Aquapod. 4 Gallon Pico-Coming Soon Current Tank Info: 12 Gallon Aquapod

12/13/2006, 11:20 AM	#4
EdKruzel Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 7,384	They are scavengers and require a food source just as feeding any of the fish in your system. They don't need to be "spot" fed, any food that comes in their direction or lodged in the rock will be quickly accepted. __________________ When you find yourself in "Deep Water" it's best to keep your mouth shut! Current Tank Info: 65RR Cube Mixed Reef

12/13/2006, 11:20 AM	#5
Travis L. Stevens Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Perry, OK Posts: 13,946	They are like all other serpent star, detrivores. They eat leftover food, or anything that you hand them. Delsol650, I believe you are referring to the "dreaded" Green Brittle Star's predatory habits. A Serpent Star and a Brittle Star are completely different in many aspects. FWIW, I have a Harlequin Serpent Star in my tank and it is one of my favorite animals. Like most Serpent and Brittle Stars, it won't be seen often, especially if it is that small. These guys can grow rather large. __________________ Travis Stevens Current Tank Info: Restarting 28g Bowfront

12/13/2006, 11:30 AM	#6
lorawalters13 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: west Tennessee Posts: 399	I put a Harlequin SS in my tank about 2-3 months ago. I saw him the next day and then didn't see him again until last week. I figured he died until I was trying to figure out why so many frags had ended up in a back corner of my tank and saw his striped legs wrapped around some zoos he drug back there. Mine atleast is a thief and probably won't be staying long.

12/13/2006, 03:00 PM	#7
650-IS350 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 14,555	I was talking about spot feed period.. just eliminates the need for the star ( any ) the want to go hunt and if it feels that its not getting/finding enough food to start hunting your livestock. __________________ * RETIRED FROM REEFING * Just enjoying the box of water from afar

12/13/2006, 06:05 PM	#8
saltman123 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: CT Posts: 1,048	what are some things you would/could/should feed zoo frags, a cleaner shrimp, and a harlequin? Mysis?Cylop-eeze?Phyto? I have only heard these names but am not exactly sure what they are all, or who they are best for. I know lots of things such as zoo's get their needs from lightling mainly so whatever is something that will please the critters without creating too much extra pollution. __________________ 12 Gallon Aquapod. 4 Gallon Pico-Coming Soon Current Tank Info: 12 Gallon Aquapod

12/13/2006, 06:13 PM	#9
MiddletonMark Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 14,441	I feed mine smaller meaty pieces of food [mysis, DIY fish food, shrimp pieces cut very small] ... but I would strongly recommend direct-feeding them regularly. Starfish are long-lived animals that [like some others, clams for example] don't show much visible symptoms of starvation until they're dying. IMO, trying to give it the best care would include regular feedings ... I've got 3 serpent/brittle stars [one like you're interested in], 2 of which are going on 3 years in my tank. Perhaps they'd do fine otherwise - but the fact that I might never have to purchase another starfish for my tank in the next decade is something I'm striving for __________________ read a lot, think for yourself Current Tank Info: 58g stony reef [250w10k, 250w 20k MH, 2x vho act, Octopus150, 6060 + 6000] ; 60g mixed tub

12/13/2006, 09:22 PM	#10
saltman123 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: CT Posts: 1,048	So when you feed them, how exactly do you get the food to stay close enough to them to react without the pump current taking it away? Do you turn your pumps off? I have a 12 gallon aquapod so there is quite a bit of flow in most areas of the tank other than the back corners. Just curious if I need to just drop a few pieces in here or there, or need to literally put it near the star till it gets ahold of it. Any specifics on feeding will be helpful. __________________ 12 Gallon Aquapod. 4 Gallon Pico-Coming Soon Current Tank Info: 12 Gallon Aquapod