I think I am getting the hang of this...!

[elfloyd]

...or I am just lucky!

My tank was established ten months ago. My first fish were two young clowns. They spawned yesterday! (Pass the cigars!)

I added three serpent stars in February... the next morning found two with only stubs remaining for arms, and both had the top of their discs eaten off. (Never did find the third star.)

I put what was left in my fuge and watched them for a few days... no movement and laying in the same place. Then one day they were gone. I have a lot of rock in the fuge so figured bristle worms got them or they drifted between the rocks. I have not seen them since.

Last night I noticed something a bit odd on a clump of cheato. Looking closer I found several small serpent stars! Small, perhaps a quarter inch fully extended, and their color is white. I've put nothing new in the tank since February, so these did not hitch hike. All I can figure is the original stars are alive and hidden in the rock... or lived long enough to drop the eggs and sperm.

All in all I feel pretty good that maybe I am on the right track and have a fairly good environment for my livestock.

 

[smallblock]

but what got the stars in the first place?

 

[smallblock]

congrats by the way on the spawns and the stars

 

[elfloyd]

Smallblock;514819 wrote: but what got the stars in the first place?

We had a long discussion about that last February. It was probably a shipping or acclimation problem. I figure the arms were eaten by bristle worms, hermits, or emerald crabs (that I haven't seen in since December).

 

[weaglereefer]

Microbrittles can come in on rockwork and stay hidden for a long time. I have them in my sump and fuge and have never added them. I highly doubt that they are descendants of the original brittle stars.

However great news on the clowns!

 

[elfloyd]

Just goes to show we can learn something everyday! Never heard of micro brittles... but yes, I do believe that's what I have.

I love this site.... so much to learn, and so many good people willing to teach!

 

[shrimpy brains]

au01st;514966 wrote: Microbrittles can come in on rockwork and stay hidden for a long time. I have them in my sump and fuge and have never added them. I highly doubt that they are descendants of the original brittle stars.

However great news on the clowns!

I have to agree here about the stars! Very awesome to have!:thumbs:
Congrats on the Clown eggs! :yay: It does sound like your tank is maturing nicely!