How to control mini brittle stars population ?

[chandigz]

Originally Posted by FitoPharmer

A few weeks ago J&L had mini harlequin shrimp. Their description said they loved to eat mini brittle stars.

Bongo shrimp!! I have a pair. 3/4" and 1/2". They love mini brittle stars. They aren't cheap unless you run the marine section at a LFS and even then they really aren't that cheap. LOL

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.

[Casey8]

Originally Posted by chandigz

Bongo shrimp!! I have a pair. 3/4" and 1/2". They love mini brittle stars. They aren't cheap unless you run the marine section at a LFS and even then they really aren't that cheap. LOL

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.

That's a GREAT idea ! I can't put the harlequin in the DT but I can put it in my refugium to let it gobble up the brittle stars in there whenever I get them from the powerheads ... Hope that might cut 1/3 of the populations in a month. But how about my DT, any idea ?

[Casey8]

Originally Posted by chandigz

Bongo shrimp!! I have a pair. 3/4" and 1/2". They love mini brittle stars. They aren't cheap unless you run the marine section at a LFS and even then they really aren't that cheap. LOL

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.

Bongo shrimp $70 at J&L This hobby is getting more expensive and RIDICULOUS Harlequin is cheaper but only eats starfish, not brittle or serpent star, that was quoted by a person work at J&L.

[subman]

um cut feeding in half....its less than free and everyone will be healthier....plus waaaayyy less brittle stars. just saying

[Casey8]

Alright subman, starting tonight I will cut 1/3 of their portion. Life is not fair when you have no money and have an expensive hobby

[subman]

Originally Posted by Casey8

Alright subman, starting tonight I will cut 1/3 of their portion. Life is not fair when you have no money and have an expensive hobby

lol now you will have extra money from the food savings!!!

I had a massive amount of them before (thousands) when I had a predatory tank tons of food and waste, and i loved feeding them (like you) but I did cut the feedings back and found the stars slowly dissapeared and to be perfectly honest the fish seemed healthier too. Trust me I know it sucks to cut back the food because its the one true chance we have to interact with our pets, so i now use an auto feeder and give 'treats' every couple days. My tank is better and fish are way better too.

sorry to rain on your parade

[Casey8]

I should blame Tom R who sold me a dozen of sps corals back in 2008. I was so excited when I saw them hitchhiking on those frags at that time. But now after a few years later, I can't believe they reproduced into a thousand in my tank. I believe what you and Marlin65 say, I know they come from my overfeeding problem. Oh well, I will have to cope with my guilt tonight when I cut down their portion