brittle stars , need some info

[kirtis]

Hello everyone, i have a green brittle star, and i am wanting a ruby brittle star, if i get them will they get along ok and everything??? also i have a 30 gallon , is that too small to hae two stars in ????

please respond http://www.wetwebmedia.com/brittlestars.htm

is this a ruby brittle star, cause what ever it is it is what i am wanint

 

[ophiuroid]

Kirtis,
The ruby brittlestar I believe you are talking about is the $$ Ophioderma squamosissimum. Do you have a lot of live rock in your tank? Theoretically, these two brittles can live together, however the green brittle is a notorious beast. It has been known to eat other brittlestars, so lots of rock is important (each can have their own area). However, some people (including me) have not had any problem with them. It is very important that the brittlestars be kept well fed with meaty foods. Otherwise, they can get into trouble by eating fish, shrimp and snails. They will not allow themselves to starve; but should not eat things simply because they want too. So logically, they should be possible to keep without them going for other things in your tank, including another brittles. In part it depends on the size of the green brittle. Large individuals can be a problem. However, I have a 15g tank that I have specifically for 4 brittlestars, including a green (though he isn't incredibly large). One brittle did eat a keyhole limpet (thank goodness, as I was about to kill the darn thing myself), but no one else has bothered the hermits or other snails in the tank, let alone each other. The only problem is that they are like young children, and it is hard to get each one their food without one trying to grab whatever the other one has.

Basically, my message is that these animals should not be considered scavengers as they can catch things to eat. Keep them well fed and they *should* stay out of trouble. But there is a bad seed in every bunch....

For more information on brittles, you can visit my site!

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Brittlestars!!
http://home.att.net/~ophiuroid
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