Basket Starfish care

[Akwarius]

I ran a search and I couldnt find any information regarding the care of a basket starfish. I've heard that they are on the "not suitable for captivity" list, but sometimes attitudes in reefkeeping can change. I was able to keep one alive for about 4-5 months and then it just disappeared one day. Prior to the disappearance I observed what I would assume to be healthy behavior. It would become active at night, waving his "branches" in the water column and occasionally moving around to find a better location. I would spot feed it from time to time, and it would even close its arms around the feeding forceps! I really miss this guy and would like to try and keep one again, but would like to be better prepared for its survival. If anyone has had experience keeping a bs in captivity, I would love to hear about it.

 

[drainbamage]

do a search on Feather stars- I know a few people here have them ( I think Marvin does?) and have had success- mostly it's all about the feeding- lots of nutrients into the water, and lots of ways of getting those nutrients back out. The care of baskets is slightly easier than feathers- but essentially the same.

 

[Akwarius]

do a search on Feather stars- I know a few people here have them ( I think Marvin does?) and have had success- mostly it's all about the feeding- lots of nutrients into the water, and lots of ways of getting those nutrients back out. The care of baskets is slightly easier than feathers- but essentially the same.

Those crinoid stars are amazing. I've always heard that they are next to impossible to keep unless you have a nps type setup with nutrients in the water column. Thats one of the reasons I was so surprised when my bs would basically eat out of my hand.

 

[fsu1dolfan]

One of my favorite starfish - unfortunately it needs a large tank. Any pictures from when you had it Akwarius??

 

[Akwarius]

One of my favorite starfish - unfortunately it needs a large tank. Any pictures from when you had it Akwarius??

The rule of thumb that I heard is the starfish must be able to extend its arms in either direction without touching glass. Heres an old pic:

 

[dougers31]

The rule of thumb that I heard is the starfish must be able to extend its arms in either direction without touching glass. Heres an old pic:

Thats so kewl!!!

 

[fsu1dolfan]

Hey i found a cool video on youtube...it is amazing to watch these guys in action!!! YouTube - Bonaire Basket Starfish

 

[Akwarius]

Thanks for the link

 

[drainbamage]

edited your post akwarius- I know you both are going for the contest, but there's no reason to be rude just because of it. Play nice guys.

 

[Akwarius]

edited your post akwarius- I know you both are going for the contest, but there's no reason to be rude just because of it. Play nice guys.

point taken

Here's a sharper pic of my old Basketstar. He liked to roam around the perimeter of the tank:

 

[Electrokate]

Kept one at the shop I worked at for months before it sold. Did not seem to mind touching the glass at all. I fed it mysid shrimp, quite a lot of them in fact, not knowing how much it needed. First squirted a bit of food "juice" in the water near it. When it started to open used a pipette to slip one into it's arm. The whole thing soon opened and I gave it like 30 mysids. Did not take more than a few days to train it to always come to the upper right corner and sit there waiting, and it would open up fast and grab as many as it could. Only problem is you would have to either train it to go into a box or keep it in a tank where the fish cannot steal the food because they take a long time to maneuver it all into the mouth.
Kate