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View Full Version : OVER population of BrittleStars!

Carmen
07-31-2009, 01:49 AM
Anyone know if there is anything that eats mini brittlestars but is relatively reef safe?
I have a serious overpopulation! This pic is the number I pulled off of one yellow finger leather coral!
Anyone want some??!:neutral:
http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r474/ctash_album/Claire3rdBirthday036.jpg
Millepora_Maniac
07-31-2009, 01:55 AM
Why do you need to get rid of them? They do a great job of cleaning up detritus.:biggrin:
Carmen
07-31-2009, 02:02 AM
I have seriously way too many - thy are hanging in EVERY crack on all the corals - EVERYWHERE! I know they are beneficial just think I could probably spare a few!!!!!!:lol:
christyf5
07-31-2009, 02:07 AM
Their populations rise and fall. I used to have lots of them as well. Its really no big deal if you have lots, but hey gifting them to other reefers is always nice too. I wish I was closer :biggrin:
i have crabs
07-31-2009, 02:12 AM
they gotta be eating somethin
noirsphynx
07-31-2009, 02:14 AM
Harlequin shrimp......maybe bumble bee shrimp?
Carmen
07-31-2009, 02:24 AM
they gotta be eating somethin

I'm a notorious OVERFEEDER! So I think they are munching on MYSIS!! Needless to say I have cut back.:wink:
hummer
07-31-2009, 02:32 AM
I have a ton of them too. But I don't over feed. They don't seem to be causing any issues for me right now...
i have crabs
07-31-2009, 02:37 AM
Harlequin shrimp......maybe bumble bee shrimp?

they wont eat brittle type stars
Joem
07-31-2009, 02:37 AM
Harlequin shrimp......maybe bumble bee shrimp?

Good excuse to buy a harlequin!

Edit: doh, above poster is correct. Harlequin won't eat non-meaty stars like these.
Navarchus
07-31-2009, 02:54 AM
Trade them….Sell them!
Carmen
07-31-2009, 03:01 AM
Trade them….Sell them!

OKAY!!!:mrgreen::biggrin::wink:
Marlin65
07-31-2009, 03:42 AM
Less food they will cull their own numbers.:wink:
kien
07-31-2009, 03:50 AM
Brittlestars are a rare sight in my tank.. send some my way :-)
Navarchus
07-31-2009, 04:29 AM
There you go…new startup!

Brittlestars enterprises
Eb0la11
07-31-2009, 05:15 AM
Im a week behind Kien on my build so I'll be ready for some real soon too haha.
ribbie
07-31-2009, 05:18 PM
Wow haha can we see a shot of your tank if that's what's on one coral?
whatcaneyedo
07-31-2009, 05:40 PM
A friend of mine once had a Lyretail Wrasse that would eat them. I had given him a large colony of GSP that was full of little brittle stars. The wrasse immediately went nuts and started eating them out of the rock.
lastlight
07-31-2009, 06:13 PM
off ONE coral!? LMAO that is unreal!
Aleks
07-31-2009, 10:16 PM
Cool! I loved my mini brittle, but haven't seen him for a while so I think he may have been a victim.....
Myka
08-01-2009, 12:30 AM
If you cut back on nutrients (feed less, stock less fish) you will probably find their numbers decline.
Key Equine
08-01-2009, 07:22 PM
Hey! I wonder if they are safe to have with my seahorses? I'll have to investigate... Do they stay small?
Leah
08-01-2009, 07:27 PM
I had tons in with my seahorses no problem
ALBERTA REEF
08-01-2009, 07:49 PM
I am willing to tank some brittlestars off your hands. My resent tank has none. The resent own ask me what are thows when he looked at my tank. The tank never had any. I am think to jump start them in this tank. :smile:
Jan
08-01-2009, 11:08 PM
My green wrasse(halichoerus chloropterus) eats my brittle stars and bristle worms.You might not like how it is constantly rummaging in the sand looking for critters which causes sand to fall on the corals .If you have clams it is likely to knock them over while it is looking for live food.It needs a sand bed to sleep in...when he goes to bed...he might also cause sand to drop on your corals.Otherwise he is a good guy..a big eater....and grows to 7-8 inches.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+1379+331&pcatid=331
Carmen
08-01-2009, 11:43 PM
Thanks Jan. I have been considering a green wrasse, or canary wrasse, or Red coris to eliminate some of the overpopulation of brittle stars plus I have some pyramid snails which I heard they eat.

And thanks for the huge number of replies on those interested in taking some. I think I will leave things alone for now just because I am crazy busy these days and have no time to fish them out off the corals! Next time I have a cup full I will post and first reply that can come ASAP can have them okay. This is the only way I can do it since I just don't have time to dig around in the tank these days. I tried to contain them overnight and they escaped even through mesh?? Escape artists those guys, so they can't be contained for long.

I'll just cut back on feedings to reduce excess food and possibly pick up a natural predator!
Thanks everyone.
Navarchus
08-02-2009, 03:17 AM
The best oneto do the job!

http://a1272.g.akamai.net/7/1272/1121/20080320165326/www.liveaquaria.com/images/categories/product/p-80739-Radiant-Wrasse.jpg
link:
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+1379+361&pcatid=361
Carmen
08-02-2009, 04:01 AM
The best oneto do the job!

http://a1272.g.akamai.net/7/1272/1121/20080320165326/www.liveaquaria.com/images/categories/product/p-80739-Radiant-Wrasse.jpg
link:
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+1379+361&pcatid=361

That one is a nice one! I will watch for one! Do you have one?
Navarchus
08-02-2009, 04:39 AM
I used to have. Keep in mind they need some sandy bottom where they can rest and find shelter.