What would a vegetarian starfish eat?

Question

What would a vegetarian starfish eat? I know they eat algae, and ditrious, but i'm not really sure what ditrious is... Could a regular random starfish only eat algae and survive?

Answer 1

Detritus refers to the uneaten fish food and dead plant and animals that accumulate in the tank.

The species that are true herbivores (eat vegetable matter only) eat mostly film algae. This isn't the best looking algae to have in your tank, and you would have to let it grow so they would have a food supply. Most need to eat at least a mix of algae and animal matter (even if only frozen brine shrimp, plankton, or other fish food). The species which eat mostly film algaes are very difficult to keep alive in aquariums - they need tanks over 100 gallons to produce enough algae for them to survive. Some stars eat animal matter exclusively (including small live fish, so you have to watch what you choose for their tankmates).

You should research the types of stars that are of interest to you so you get one that's compatible with your tank size and what you want to feed.

Answer 2

Detritous? That means it eats dried leaves and other organic matter, such as soil. That means your starfish is a Detritivore.