scotp94

I have a 75 gallon tank just recently went thro the cycle. On the live rock I bought from LFS we have noticed at least 2-3 of these small serpants. They are ugly and we do not want them but they never come out. I want to get shrimp and crabs soon so what can I do. These are really small ones that we have seen probally smaller than a 50 cent piece. HELP!!!!!

cerianthus

Are you sure they are serpent Stars. It may be brittle stars? If brittle, should be OK.
What color are they? If common green serpents, try entice them with food attached to fishing line. Serpents are voracious eater thus will come after foods.

scotp94

Im pretty sure they are serpant stars from pictures I found online. Right now they are mostly white with black and white on the legs. Like I said they are very small right now and I would like to get rid of them. They hide in tiny holes in my live rock and can see there legs sticking out of the hole. There has to be a natural predator of this ugly thing some where out there.

scotp94

I just looked at brittle star pictures and It could be them also. Im confused because they look alot alike.

cerianthus

Its okay. We were all there once or we may be still there, learning new things everyday.
brittle seemed to be less active at light but serpent are active whenever they smell FOOD!!!

AJ51

Brittlestars have spiny looking arms while Serphant stars have regular arms

cerianthus

Maybe the other way around?

melodicone

Another way you can try to get rid of them is by stocking a couple of Harlequin Shrimp. They have a specific diet of starfish and should be able to take care of little ones hiding in the rocks.

au01st

That's a very expensive way to find out, and probably not the best. Last time I saw them, those shrimp ran $30 a piece or so, and like you said, have very specific diets. After it eats the large star, it will go for asternias, and when those are gone, it will need to be provided starfish for food, or it will die.

See if you can get a pic for ID. Are they just sticking their arms out? My brittle sea stars will stick their arms into the water column at night to catch small bits of whatever. Serpents will actually go into a cave, arch up to the ceiling, then drop down on unsuspecting prey that swims through.

Brittles are good to have. If you're not missing any fish or coral, I wouldn't worry about them.


Also, if you don't like them because they're ugly, how can you like crabs, snails, shrimp, etc? Sometimes stuff in saltwater looks a certain way for their function. They're unique looking and evolved that look over millions of years. I have great appreciation for their evolution. You're lucky, most people (like me) have to pay for those stars, I didn't get many freebies with my live rock.

cerianthus

that is if Harlequin dont get eaten by Serpents. I mean I literally have fed meat to serpents. They react so fast to food given. Like other member aidd, ii thing are not missing and more active at night , just monitor. Common Serpents i am used were green in color.

AJ51

those are the most deadly species to the fish.

AJ51

no its not the other way around

charzar-g

serpent stars and brittle stars look similar, but brittle stars have spikey looking cactus type legs, and serpent stars are smoother, they can also be stripey. I can't believe you don't want them, once you do get them out, take them back to the fish shop and they will be able to sell them on

PugsAndKitties

Mine are brittles and i think yours are too. I also got mine the same way. The only difference is that I love mine! I cant believe you dont! I just found out what they were and theyre good for the tank. Thats as big as they will get if theyre micros and theyre secretive so even if you think they are ugly, all you see is their cool striped legs! We should consider ourselves lucky!! We get these awesome little critters FREE!!!!!!!!