is it possible to have starfish in a fish tank??

Question

What do starfish need to survive in a fish tank?

Answer 1

I have one a Sand Sifting Sea-Star, there only saltwater, and extremely difficult to take care of some types especially the bright blue and red ones. You would need a mature saltwater aquarium that has been running for quite a while since they eat micro-organisms, you would need to know all the basics of saltwater aquariums first though. Then you can move into starfish. They need deep sand beds to "burrow". Some species of them are not too complicated to care for but again the very bright blue and red ones are very hard to be kept alive. So if you are a new aquarist try a saltwater tank out after you learn the basics and start with Damsels or clowns maybe even gobies.

Answer 2

Salt: $15 (get at least the 25 gallon worth as you'll need it for water changes, and buying more at a time actually saves the cost of salt per gallon) Light hood: for nothing fancy, since you don't want coral, you are looking around $35+/- Aquarium: $10 (you often can find 10 gallons for this price, in kits they are more, but usually come with a hood and light) Filter: $30 (remember you want decent water flow, so get a filter rated for a tank 2-3 times the size of your tank, or add power heads, or a skimmer. This estimate is on the low end, and can get much more expensive) Live rock (necessity with the starfish and inverts) at least $40. Hydrometer $5 Water Conditioner: $7 test kit: $30 bucket: $3 Heater: $25 so basic estimated minimal price for what is needed would be about $200. That is a fair estimate for the bare bones basics. I maybe be off a little here and there, and may have left off a few items, so budget at least $250-$300 for a basic setup.

Answer 3

I've never seen marine fish available at any WalMart.. Considering the limited knowledge most WalMart staff members have concerning basic freshwater fish and maintenance, I seriously doubt a live starfish was available at a WalMart store.

To answer your question, yes. You can keep starfish in a marine tank. I've got dozens of asterina stars that hitchhiked into my reef tank. I noticed one star several months ago and figured it wasn't worth the trouble of fishing it out.. Now I have more than I can count living in there. They've been feeding on my coralline algae, but at the rate the stuff grows it's not a major concern for me yet.

Answer 4

They need a saltwater or brackish tank, there is no such thing as a freshwater starfish. I recommend a chocolate chip starfish. Compared to other starfish, they stay smaller, however they do get big. They are DEFINITELY NOT for beginners. Only very experienced people should get these. In most if not all places that carry freshwater fish, you will find these. Good luck...Gup.

Answer 5

It is possible that starfish can live in a fish tank. It would be harder to take care off though. Starfish live in saltwater climate. Stability and good feeding is the key to having a succesful fish tank.

Answer 6

In a saltwater tank, yes. They eat algea and my chocolate chip starfish eats raw shrimp. They are so cute - looks like a cookie.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/angeltomom/Chip.jpg

Answer 7

A lot. Tank, filter, heater, gravel, lights, water, ocean water mix, food and attention. Also, a bunch of test kits to make sure that your water chemistry is correct.

Answer 8

they need salt water, find out what they eat and where to get it and...ya thats it, starfish are simple animals

Answer 9

some will eat coral too,algae,and any small inverts.stock your tank accordingly

Answer 10

Well, first and foremost, it would have to be a marine aquarium (not freshwater).