They get their name from their fragile, easily broken limbs that serve the same purpose as a lizard’s tail. Since they are on the smaller side Luzon Starfish can usually find enough biofilms to consume in medium to large reef tanks!īrittle Starfish are quite distinct from other types of aquarium Starfish. Since they won’t accept chunks of flesh like predatory Starfish, they need to be kept in mature reef aquariums and other ecosystems that can support their grazing habits. They are detritivorous – meaning they feed on algae, microorganisms, biofilms, and tiny invertebrates that coat hard surfaces in marine environments. While not terribly difficult to care for, Luzon Starfish do have a highly specialized diet. Parasitic limpets sometimes attach to them, as do commensal copepods and even a species of Comb Jellyfish! Most aquarium specimens won’t come with hitchhikers, however. For starters they reproduce completely asexually they split off arms that then regrow into entirely whole Starfish! Luzon Starfish are one of the stranger types of aquarium Starfish. They are definitely not a reef-safe type of aquarium Starfish! However, their hearty appetites and large adult diameter makes them a danger to sessile invertebrates such as corals and anemones. Chocolate Chip Starfish are favorites of aquarists as they are definitely on the active side!Įven after a heavy feeding they will continue to prowl about for food. They are also vigorous eaters – simply place cut fish and shellfish nearby and watch as the Starfish moves over the food to consume it. All Starfish are on the sensitive side when it comes to water quality however Chocolate Chip Starfish will do well so long as you keep water parameters stable and clean. These IndoPacific Starfish are found in warm, shallow waters across the region and are the most common type of aquarium Starfish to find in pet stores.Ĭhocolate Chip Starfish are one of the few truly beginner level species. Keep in mind that some of these are extremely hard to keep – make sure to check our difficulty rating before making any purchases at your local fish store! Chocolate Chip StarfishĬhocolate Chip Starfish are instantly recognizable thanks to their knobby spines, also earning them the name Knobby Starfish. Here are a few types of aquarium starfish found in the hobby. I think it’s best if we get to know some of the most common types of aquarium Starfish in the trade before you make a purchase! Saltwater Starfish for Aquariums: Popular Species Starfish feed on everything from coralline algae to slow moving fish. Most are quite sensitive, even for invertebrates, and minor changes in water chemistry can lead to death within hours. However, not every Starfish is right for the eager beginner.

To keep starfish in top condition in an aquarium, water quality should be excellent and nitrate levels very low, preferably unmeasurable.Starfish are iconic marine creatures that every child learns to draw as soon as they are given crayons and a picture! Small wonder aquarists around the world love nothing better than to buy a Starfish for their first saltwater tank.

Also be wary of wounds that appear to be fresh where arms are missing, as these are potential sights for infection or disease. A good test is to turn the starfish over on its back and see if it rights itself. Prospects should be active, moving and full-bodied, and with sea star species the tube feet should be visible. A limp or weak specimen is a poor choice, and even though some may recover over time, most do not. Inspect any starfish before buying it to make sure it is healthy.Starfish inhabit many oceans from warm tropical to cooler water regions around the world, so make sure the type you are getting is suitable for the tank temperature you have.Many species can grow to quite a large size, which can cause a problem with them disrupting other tank life as well as possibly toppling or rearranging live rocks and corals.Some starfish will survive in an aquarium if fed bits of clam, shrimp or other meaty fares, even though this might not be their natural diet. Depending on the species, many are predatory animals that will often attack and eat a wide range of invertebrates such as other starfish, urchins, sponges, anemones, soft and stony corals of all types, coralline algae, clams and other mollusks, crustaceans, and sometimes even unwary or sleeping fish.

Star fish bowl