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bristle starfish Expand / Collapse
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Posted 6/28/2008 1:18:11 PM
 

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Last Login: 9/7/2008 5:52:58 PM
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question on how to get rid of some starfish on live rock ,i got some live rock with a lot of bristle starfish that i want to get rid off .pls .help me
Post #87692
Posted 6/28/2008 4:36:44 PM


 

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Last Login: 9/24/2008 3:15:55 PM
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Are these brittle stars or bristle worms were talkink about. What type of tank do you have? Are these inhabitants causing some type of problem or becoming overpopulated? If you feel you need to get rid of them you can always pick them out with a pair of forceps.

Tom

It,s the very things we think we know that prevent us from learning the things we should know.

Post #87696
Posted 6/28/2008 5:11:28 PM
 

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55g reef with 60lbs live rock just over populated, thank
Post #87697
Posted 6/30/2008 5:26:13 AM


 

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Last Login: Today @ 10:05:35 AM
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IMO and IME if these are either bristleworms (worm with small bristles all over the sides) or small brittle starfish (small round center disc with 6 legs coming off) both are good for the tanks and are a good thing to have there.  They are great at feeding off excessive foods and other detritus.  They are a good part of a clean up crew.

But if the population is getting really large, more than likely you are feeding too much (the more food available, the more they will populate to keep up with the food).  Cutting back on feeding can help to reduce their levels.

There are also a few "natural" ways to help get rid of them.  Arrow Crabs will feed upon bristleworms, but they have a mixed opinion from people if they are truely reef and fish safe.  I personally have never had any issues with them bothing any fish or corals, so IME they are safe to add.  Also Dottyback fish will also prey upon smaller bristleworms.

There is a shrimp called a Harlequin Shrimp that feeds exclusively on starfish that you could try, but if they eat all the starfish you will need to buy starfish to feed to them to keep them alive.

HTH,

________________________________________________

Keith

 

"Simply put, you believe that things or people make you unhappy, but this is not accurate. You make yourself unhappy." Wayne Dyer

Post #87750
Posted 6/30/2008 11:58:25 AM


 

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Last Login: Today @ 9:31:42 AM
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I noticed that Red Sea's Aiptasia-X can actually "smoke" the bristle stars out of their nooks & crannies. Keep in mind that this was not an intentional find, just a by-product of treating the tank to get rid of some pests. At any rate, they all came creeping and crawling out so if you have aiptasia to exterminate anyway you could use Aiptasia-X to "flush them out," too. Just reading this thread made that memory come ...
Post #87763
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