Anemone or invertabrae

[louie4979]

I wanted an anemone or starfish but I'm not sure about my lights yet. I bought the tank used. I want to make it a reef tank eventually but am starting off with just fish. I bought a feather duster worm because the fish guy said it was hardy. Worm is doing great. Can anyone recommend a hardy starfish or anemone or something that will be easy for a beginner. Shrimp are out of the question because I have a hawkfish.

 

[Flake]

lighting aside, both starfish and anemones need a very stable tank. I'd don't think i'd add either until the tank has been set up for a bit.

 

[kurtyboh]

Yeah anemones arent recommended to add until your tank is at least a yr. Starfish are very sensitive as well and waiting 6-9 months is recomended

 

[louie4979]

Thanks! I'll wait then.

 

[mr_X]

you could add a serpent/brittle star. they are quite hardy. the problem with them is they like to hide unless they "smell" food. you'll see just a leg or two sticking out of the live rock. you can hand them meaty foods though. i always liked that about them. they will eat whatever you hand them. fish, chopped clam...

 

[louie4979]

What like hand feed them?

 

[severum mama]

What like hand feed them?

Yes, or you could use feeding tongs. Here is a link so you can see what I mean.
Plastic Aquarium Feeding Tongs 18-inch - Aquar Miscellaneous

 

[louie4979]

Thanks!

 

[nxb161]

I have a pair of stainless steel 12" tweezer that I use to feed mine on occasion. They don't require hand feeding, but its fun now and then

 

[mr_X]

i use my hands and literally hand them a piece of food. if they aren't' getting anything to eat, you will have to feed them or they will die.

 

[Fishbone13]

I use a SeaSquirt Feeder it works great for me. It extends out 35 inches and it has a prong on the end to skewer a chunk of meat and let the little guy pull it off. I just got one and I wish it from the jump, here's the link to the page. Check it out.
Aquarium Fish Feeding & Feeders: Kent Marine SeaSquirt Feeder

 

[austinsdad]

I have that same feeder. Works great.

 

[nxb161]

I usually see the serpents arms grabbing whenever I feed, so far so good, had it for over a year, I get more worried about the Chocolate Chip Star not eating enough, but its been around for just as long.