Serpent Sea Star Feeding

[Sergie]

I've been feeding my Serpent algae wafers for the past three months. He's never rejected them and loves them. I just read on Live Aquaria that they are carnivors and should only be fed meaty foods. Am I slowly killing him by feeding him algae? Should I switch over to meaty foods? If so what would be good for the sea star? Also should I slowly ween him off of algae or just pull a switcharoo?

 

[Sergie]

Or will algae be ok.

 

[melosu58]

I personally would not feed just for the star. They are good janitors and will feed off scraps and I would keep the algea tabs coming.

 

[mr_X]

i would feed it meaty foods. silverside or chopped up shrimp or fish will work great

 

[Sergie]

So just like raw shrimp from the store? Do you think it'll take awhile to get him to want shrimp since all he's been eating is algae?

 

[mr_X]

Na. I think it will take it right from your hand with haste! ...and yes, just raw shrimp from the store will work.

 

[TomStav]

I have a huge serpent star and have had him for years. I have always fed him raw shrimp, squid, krill, and occasional nori, he goes crazy for the shrimp. I usually only target feed him once a week, about half a shrimp.

 

[Sergie]

Thanks for the replies. I feel bad about the algae now. I'll take some shrimp home tonight. I inherited him so I had no idea.

 

[Sergie]

I fed my sea star some shrimp last night...he was out looking for it before I had it near the bottom! He loved it. Also as soon as he grabbed ahold of it, all my nassaurius snails came out of hiding looking for the shrimp so I had to put small pieces into the sand bed for them. After they were done I took out the remainding pieces. Shrimp is a big hit in my tank now!