http://ask.metafilter.com/tags/invertebrate tag posts with invertebrate Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:13:12 -0800 Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:13:12 -0800 en-us http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 http://ask.metafilter.com/55394/Starfish-Aquarium What animals are needed in an aquarium to keep sea stars? What size tank? We'd like to start a saltwater aquarium (I have c. 15 years freshwater experience with larger tanks) for the purpose of keeping sea stars. We were thinking:<br> <br> -acrylic tank<br> -live rock, live sand<br> -protein skimmer<br> -refrigeration unit<br> -hood/light/etc...<br> <br> Our question is: what animals do we need to cohabitate with the sea stars to keep them healthy and happy? At the local Aquarium of the Bay, they feed them daily by hand - chopped up fish and squid - with only a few sea cucumbers living with the many sea stars.<br> <br> Are other invertebrates/fish are necessary to keep them happy? They appear to eat snails, corals and urchins, so we should probably stay away from those (except for supplying prey). Do sea stars even need fish?<br> <br> How large should the tank be to accommodate a few hand-sized sea stars?<br> <br> Thanks! tag:ask.metafilter.com,2008:site.55394 Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:13:12 -0800 sea star starfish aquarium saltwater echinoderm invertebrate stewiethegreat