Got a text today about the green brittle star. The question was should I be afraid of it eating my fish (or something to that effect) As these stars grow in size like all animals their food requirements change. When it is small in your tank it can survive and grow on the food such as Rods, pellets, and various frozen things we are always adding. Being an internal feeder, unlike the choc chip who actually brings it's stomach out of the animal and surrounds the food item and digests it then bringing it's stomach back in, The brittle star actually takes the food inside. As it grows it requires larger and larger prey items to satisfy it's needs. The best way to tell if it's getting enough to eat is to look at the central disc. It should be smooth and extended, if there are creases or depressions it needs to feed. At this point you may see an activity known as tenting. The star stands up on it's legs holding it's central disc up off the bottom usually at the entrence of a cave or between rocks. Whe an unsuspecting small fish settles in that area for the night, it lowers it's self down and you can figure out the rest. I feed mine pieces of silversides no larger than half the size of the central disc and you can actually see it take the piece of fish into it's stomach and fill the disc. With a good feeding at least once a week you should not have a problem with it bothering your fish.
Thank you for this Norman. I was given two of these guys, about 5 inches in diameter from Blue Life USA and had no idea that I would need to worry about them eating my other fish when they get hungry. Depending on how successful I am at feeding them, I may need to get rid of one and concentrate on feeding just the other. I don't think I really need two in my tank at this time so if you know of someone that may want one, I might just give him up.
They are very easy to feed, just let a piece of silverside touch one of his legs and he will wrap around it and take care of the other details. Don't have to worry about the other fish taking it away from him.......unless he's not hungry. I don't think 2 would be a problem, they mostly stay hid untill they get hungry and then just hang an arm out between the rocks. Very easy to care for.
 Does Pet Country carry silverside? I am going to go get some today. Do you think they would eat raw pieces of gulf shirmp too?
I feed mine silver sides too. It's fun to watch him eat. He doesn't bother anything, and I've almost had him a year.
According to what I've read, those guys are much less likely to attack. I think the key is keeping them fat and happy so they don't need to hunt and kill for their food. I'm gonna give it a shot and hope mine play nice.
