I recently had such a population explosion of asterina stars in one of my cubes that they completely devoured the coraline in the tank and made my beautiful purple LR look more like base rock
A pair of harlequin shrimp to the rescue.
Anyways, once the tank is cleaned out, I will begin the arduous task of feeding the little buggers (or selling them) but I have turned my 12 gallon into a starfish holding tank for the harlequin food (chocolate or sand sifting stars) but instead of chunking in a whole star, I will be severing legs and feeding gradually. I've had stars live (and regenerate legs after some time) after losing 1 or even 2 legs, but I'll be feeding probably 1 leg per week (the LFS here only sell MONSTER chocolate chip stars). Is that a rate the star can possibly survive, or maybe should I keep multiple stars to increase the recouperation period between de-legging
. I am also goign to attempt feeding thawed starfish as some breeders/keepers have had some luck with that also.
I feel unbelievable cruel even posting this question.....but lets face it, no developed central nervous system (and by severing only a leg, I prevent the harlequins from eating it alive...LOL). I'd take losing a limb over that anyday IMO.
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