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The Incredible Shrinking Brittle Star

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acerob View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote acerob Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 29 2004 at 12:30pm
I have about 10 of them in my nano tank.  I think they are totally cool.  when I feed cyclop-ease,  it seems like they come out of the wood work.  I'll try to get some pics
Highland, UT

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Weimers Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 29 2004 at 6:09pm

Will & acerob - Pix please!  They sound wonderful!

Renee and Damon Weimer
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Adam Blundell Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 29 2004 at 6:21pm
Originally posted by Kyle Katarn Kyle Katarn wrote:

 Hey, where's my ding* for that great scientific name?

Ding*

Adam

(I'll try to look harder for point worthy events, sorry.  And remember it is an honor system and you have to keep track of your own points, each ding being worth 10)

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote acerob Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 30 2004 at 8:26am
I will, I'm leaving on vacation so I'll have to do it when I come back.  just so everyone knows mini stars love cyclop-ease.
Highland, UT

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kyle Katarn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 30 2004 at 6:36pm

I think his legs are actually breaking off.  But he still seems to be ok otherwise, so I hope that he will pull through.  I think he is one of the neatest critters I have ever seen, and I would definately call him cute as a button.  I really love serpent stars, so I would love to figure out what makes them happy in captivity.  Perhaps I need to get him cyclop-eeze.  He does like brine shrimp.  Any other suggestions on brittle star favorites? 

Thanks for the ding* Adam!

Amy

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Will Spencer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 30 2004 at 9:25pm
Next time my arm is in tank I'll try to get pics.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Will Spencer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 14 2004 at 8:10pm

OK, I lied I do not have a baby serpent star.  Turns out I have a baby Brittle Star.  He has the spines all up and down his legs.  The other one I have is huge compared to him and red.

Anyway, I found a rock had fallen over in my tank and killed a feather duster worm so I started fixing the problem and toppled everything.  Long story short I had to move the rock he was living under and sure enough he's still there, so pics it is...

This "Utah" rock he is living under is slighly smaller than 2 fists.  It was a bugger to get the shots.  The darn thing kept moving so I had to continually turn the rock to get the pics.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jamison Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 17 2004 at 2:18pm
My brittle star loves the occasional krill. I stick it to the end of some thin plastic tubing and put it in his reach. He curls his arm right around it. Very cool to watch.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ljbs Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 17 2004 at 9:40pm
Will , those pics are great.  I have got to get out there to see your tank.  Sorry that both our lives have been so busy lately.  That new camera is fantastic.  I know you'll have a lot of fun with it.   
Linda Spencer
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Suzy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 18 2004 at 6:21am
It is "cute"! In a creepy crawley spiderish sorta way!

(Why do guys like those kinda things? Rob has the ugliest stuff in
his tank and thinks they are so cool! Even the really "cute" spidery
looking brittle star that Adam gave him! And that funky black
caterpillar looking thing.....)

Our sand sifter was getting shorter legs. One day, I saw a big
hermit munching on him ALIVE! I put the hermit in the sump, but the
star passed. I hope Jon doesn't find out..... He really was cute!

Our brittle stars have lived for years. I wonder if my over-feeding
has something to do with it. I really think with good nutrition,
oceanic organism are more equipped to deal with other undesirable
elements. Our calcium and other testables are always outta whack,
and I've always got a bit of nitrate and phosphate. Come to think of
it, I've always got a bit of cyano, and that fuzzy red algae!

But, our stars are happy!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kyle Katarn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 20 2004 at 8:53pm

Well, I am thrilled to report that my brittle star seems to be recovering.  He has new little leg tips growing on most of his legs, and at least one is actually quite long!  Thanks for the great advice everyone!  I think I followed it all.  I bumped up the calcium, added more food, and am keeping the salinity as stable as possible.  I actually moved everyone into a 20 long so it would be easier to keep stable.  I tried out the krill, and he just loved it.  Thanks much folks!

Amy

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Weimers Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 21 2004 at 8:52am
Yaaaaaaaaaaaay!  Way to go, Amy!  I am so happy to hear that your brittle star is better.  Tell him I said, "live live live, grow grow GROW!"  It works for my plants.  Not sure if it works for my tank yet.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Connie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 21 2004 at 1:56pm
Hey question.... I have FINALLY caught 4 crabs that were on the live rock I ordered via internet and I have lost a few fish before I was able to get them out... Anyway, I am wondering if it was the crabs or maybe my brittle or surpent that is snacking on my little reef chromis?? Have any of you ever noticed these stars eating fish?? I feed them every week a huge hunk they actully get a full crown and then when it shrinks I feed again... Pretty coooolll... SHould I get the stars out or was getting rid of the crabs going to solve my problem??
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Will Spencer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 22 2004 at 11:59am

Connie, what kind of crabs did you get out?  I would think it would be difficult for a brittle star to catch a fish.  Maybe while they are sleeping, but I don't know.

I have heard of Sally Lightfoot Crabs catching and eating fish though.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mark Peterson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 23 2004 at 2:48am
Just get more Chromis! Brittle and Serpant stars as well as many crabs enjoy a whole live fish now and then. And yes, they can catch them, especially if the fish is slowed because of sleep or illness.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote leviwin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 25 2004 at 5:14pm
I had a green brittle star that would catch fish.  He would hide in the rocks and ambush the fish as they swam by.  It was cool to watch but I had to get rid of him.  Anyway here is a link on more info about brittle stars (Ophiuroidea )http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/starfishcare/l/blstarfam_o phiu.htm?terms=brittle+starfish
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