R220,00

2 items in stock

Categories:

Marine Shrimp & Snails, Marine Livestock

Description
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Banded Brittle Starfish (Ophiolepis superba)

Facts

Latin name	Ophiolepis superba
Local name	Banded Brittle Sea Star
Family	Asteroidea – Ophiolepis
Origin	West Indian Ocean, The Red Sea
Max length	20 cm (7.9″)

As aquarium fish

Minimum volume	200 l (53 gal)
Hardiness	Average
Suitable for aquarium	Suitable for most aquariums
Reef safe	Often reef safe
Aggressiveness	Peaceful

Feed

Recommended	Detritus Microalgea (Eg. spirulina) Small crustaceans (Krill, mysis, artemia…)

This species might be a threat to smaller fishes.

Family description (Asteroidea)

Sea stars can be an essential part of a clean up crew, as many species live of algae and detritus.
Some species are even quite colorful.

Sea stars should not be kept in tanks with high levels of nitrate or phosphate, as they are more sensitive than most fish.
They might begin to “erode” if the water quality is low or if not provided with enough food.

Many species might be able to find enough food on their own in the aquarium, but if they show signs of starvation, one should feed them fish pellets or similar.

Some species are sensitive to air and changes in salinity, so be careful when moving and acclimating sea stars.

Most sea stars in the trade are harmless and beneficial, but one should be careful when purchasing species with spines, as these are often predatory.

References and further reading

About references

Ronald L. Shimek. 2004. Marine Invertebrates (PocketExpert Guide) – TFH Publications / Microcosm Ltd. – (English)
Philip A. Purser. Aquarium Sea Stars – Fish Channel – (English)
Richard Aspinall. 2015. Sea Stars for the Marine Aquarium – Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine – (English)