Brittle star - how big is too big?

[larryl]

I've got this brittle star, one of the green and yellow spiny ones, that is about 8-9 inches across the arms. Should I be worried about him catching my fish? I've had a couple mysterious green chromis disappearances in the past, but never any conclusive evidence the brittle start had anything to do with it...


Just curious,
Larry

[MyMonkey]

I am curious as well. I saw one of the ones you mention in the LFS just recently. I read up on them. The only one I read that was trouble for fish was the Green Brittle Star.

[technoshaman]

Chromis are notorious for doing each other in over time, start with 5 end up with 1 - sand dwelling / sleeping fishes are more likely to be consumed by a hungry brittle star. Wouldn't necessarily blame the brittle for the chromis.

Do you ever see him raise his body up and make a 'tent' with his arms? This is a prelude to catching larger prey usually. In my experience no brittle star is totally safe with small fish and crustaceans .