My First Starfish… and My First Big Mistake
When I first got into saltwater aquariums, I was around 18 and just excited to have my first tank up and running.
I had a 55-gallon setup with T5 lighting 20,000K bulbs and actinic lights and everything was finally starting to come together.
And then came my favorite piece…
My red rose anemone.
It was the first anemone I ever bought, and it was thriving. Fully open, great color, looked amazing in the tank.
I had it for about a month… and everything was going perfectly.
Until I made one simple mistake.
The Starfish That Changed Everything
One day I went to my local fish store and picked up what I thought was a cool, harmless addition:
A Chocolate Chip Starfish
(Yeah… I know now 😅)
At the time, I had no idea that not all starfish are reef safe.
I just saw it and thought:
“That thing looks awesome, let’s add it.”
“It’s Hugging the Anemone”
A day or two later, my dad called me and said:
“Hey… that starfish is like… hugging your anemone.”
And I instantly knew.
That’s not a hug.
That’s a meal.
Gone in 2 Days
By the time I got home, the damage was already done.
That Chocolate Chip Starfish had made quick work of my anemone.
Within about 2 days… it was gone.
Just like that.
Lesson Learned: Not All Starfish Are Reef Safe
That moment taught me something every reef keeper needs to know:
Not all starfish belong in a reef tank
Some are completely safe…
And some will eat:
- Corals
- Anemones
- Soft tissue invertebrates
And they won’t hesitate.
Reef Safe vs NOT Reef Safe Starfish
Generally Reef Safe Starfish
These are the ones you can usually trust in a reef setup:
- Fromia Starfish
- Linckia Starfish (Blue/Orange)
- Serpent Starfish (most species)
- Brittle Starfish (with caution depending on species)
These tend to scavenge and won’t go after your corals.
NOT Reef Safe Starfish
Avoid these in reef tanks:
- Chocolate Chip Starfish
- Sand Sifting Starfish (can wipe out beneficial sand life)
- Certain large predatory brittle stars
These can:
- Eat corals and anemones
- Disrupt your tank ecosystem
- Cause serious losses
Why This Matters
When you’re building a reef tank, every addition matters.
Something that looks harmless can:
- Destroy expensive livestock
- Set your tank back months
- Cost you serious money
All because of one decision.
Final Thoughts
That Chocolate Chip Starfish taught me a lesson I’ll never forget.
And honestly?
Almost every reefer has a story like this.
So if you’re new to the hobby or even experienced take a second before adding anything new:
Research first. Always.
Because sometimes…
“That cool new addition”
turns into
“Why is everything disappearing?”