Yes or no -help me decide

[Europhyllia]

I just finished *really* cleaning my tank and now that I can see through the glass again it actually is a pretty nice tank!

So maybe I could splurge on a little something -Caribbean of course.

I've always loved seastars but haven't had much luck with the 'who knows what they eat' kind.
I am actually doing better with the basket stars since I don't mind target feeding critters a couple of times a day.
At least I know what they eat and that they eat.

So a year or so ago I looked into Echinaster Sentus - the spiny seastar from Florida as it appears you can target feed them (nice!) but they do eat small clams and my worry is: what else might they eat?
Similar Echinaster seem to eat sponges and mollusks.

So does that mean they will leave my basket stars alone? I'd freak if the sentus ate my baskets.

I am kind of proud of my sponges too. I've had them for over a year now and they still look beautiful. When I see how poorly the sponges at TS Aquarium and Seaworld look I always feel good about how much better mine are doing.

But seastars are pretty awesome. Maybe even awesome enough to sacrifice a nibble of sponge.

But what if they ate the basket stars. How likely do you think that would be for a critter that is supposed to live mostly off mollusks (clams, etc.)?

The seller says she doesn't think they eat baskets but can't be 100% sure. Of course the baskets live on the gorgos and a fat spiny seastar may be more comfortable on rocks and glass than delicate gorgos in the first place?

The reviews for the spiny stars are all glowing and people just love them and want more of them.

So... what would you do?

[hobogato]

if it were me, i would not take the chance. almost nobody has success with basket stars and i dont think you should jeopardize what a good thing you have going.

[LuckySingh]

if it were me, i would not take the chance. almost nobody has success with basket stars and i dont think you should jeopardize what a good thing you have going.

+1

[Mr Cob]

no...I'm not into taking chances on livestock these days

[Europhyllia]

hm, hm, hm. and I've actually thought of you guys -especially Ace- as more of risk takers! Guess that means a no for me.
Thanks!

[Mr Cob]

I've been on the butt end of too many risks on livestock...

[Europhyllia]

and I am usually pretty conservative... but seastars are my weak spot.

Maybe I'll cheat on the Caribbean thing and console myself with a nice clam.

[ErikH]

A good rule of thumb with stars is that if they are knobby, they will eat coral. I'm sure it doesn't always hold true, but in a pinch, it's an easy way to tell.

[Europhyllia]

good info. if you had posted it on FB I would have given you a 'like' lol

[Kristy]

There is NO WAY that I would risk it, but I am ridiculously protective of my basket star.