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#1
03-28-2012, 02:39 AM
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How to control mini brittle stars population ?
I know they are good for your tank, just like the brittle worms as people say ... but I just don't like to have them in my tank. All my pods are long gone since these creatures have taken over my rocks, I haven't seen any pods left in my tank, and I blame these ones. It must be close to a thousand if I am not exaggerating here a bit ... they are everywhere. There are at least 10 of them for each single powerhead everytime I clean it. I can't kill them, so I always put them back in my refugium. I need something that will eat them naturally. I had been googling lately and some people say the harlequin shrimp will eat any stars. But I have one hitchhiking star I don't want to lose. It is about 3 inches, I don't know what kind it is but I like it. So, I can't have the harlequin shrimp.
I am desperate I need help here, I want my big fatty pods population back, these stars need to be out of my tank. I don't care how good they are, I just don't want them in my tank. 
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#2
03-28-2012, 02:45 AM
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feed less. tons of mini brittle stars are a sign of over feeding.
__________________
225gal dt with 100g sump. Mitras, vortechs, bubble king, AI Sol and Profilux. http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/sho...threadid=84782 Will trade subs for frags  My other summer hobby: http://www.edkra.ca
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#3
03-28-2012, 03:02 AM
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yep thats what the problem is same with lots of brittle worms. If you have thousands you are feeding too much.
__________________
150 Gal system 3'x3' 400W M/H, Bekett skimmer, Dart return,1/4 HP Chiller 180 Gal Drop tank, LED lights, Bubble master 250 skimmer,Hammerhead on a closed loop, Speed wave return.
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#4
03-28-2012, 03:09 AM
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hehe ... I never see any left over food though, they must eat fish poop then ... Alright, I have no control when my fish are giving me a "starving puppy" eyes, they know how to use their "magic" ... Please tell me what type of other creature or fish eat them, PLEASE !
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#6
03-28-2012, 03:36 AM
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A few weeks ago J&L had mini harlequin shrimp. Their description said they loved to eat mini brittle stars.
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#7
03-28-2012, 03:39 AM
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Wayne, I had tried that method but their whole body is deep inside the rocks, only the tiny ugly feet sticking out. I even tried using a tweezer to pull them out but I just broke their legs apart. They are worse than brittle worms
 I think catching the worms is more easy.
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#8
03-28-2012, 03:54 AM
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I've got a good size wrasse that eats them: Halichoeres ornatissimus. A friend of mine also used to have what I think was a Lunar wrasse (Thalassoma lunare) that would gobble them up very aggressively. If you have a large covered tank one of those might work for you.
__________________
"We shall dive down through black abysses... and in that lair of the Deep Ones we shall dwell amidst wonder and glory forever." - H.P. Lovecraft Old 120gal Tank Journal New 225gal Tank Journal May 2010 TOTM The 10th Annual Prince George Reef Tank Tour
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#9
03-28-2012, 04:05 AM
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That wrasse will grow to 6" inches and I only have a small 75 gallon tank. Also I have a BB tank, no sand for them to feel happy. I know somebody can trade them when it grows big, but not me. After a few months later, it will become my other pet then that is it... I know I will be stuck with it till the day it dies and I can't upgrade to a bigger tank. That is the problem. Is there any creatures that you can think of, except the harlequin shrimp ?
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#10
03-28-2012, 04:08 AM
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Quote:
You could put your starfish in the sump and get a harlequin shrimp. I know mine is eating my mini brittlestars faster then the asterina stars that I want him to eat.
__________________
72 gal bowfromt mixed reef sps dominated, 25 gal mineral mud type sump/refugium Skimmerless 2x250 14000k phoenix hqi 2x96 pc actinic, 50x flow
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