How to Breed Brittle Starfish

Brittle stars are closely related to starfish. They are fast-moving creatures with long legs. They can become an integral part of a home aquarium; although they do not come out in the open generally, they help keep areas clean that are not seen or eaten by other species. The tropical coral marine creatures come in a range of colors from green to red. However, they are harder to find than most creatures at local aquatic stores. Breeding them yourself is not only educational, it can save time and money.

Things You'll Need

  • Brittle stars
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place a variety of the same breed of brittle stars in a coral-filled saltwater tank. The sex of the stars cannot be determined, so putting in a variety of stars, rather than just two, increases the likelihood of breeding.

    • 2

      Clean the tank regularly and ensure there is enough oxygen circulating throughout the tank. An optimum tank encourages breeding.

    • 3

      Check that there is enough food for the stars in the tank. Without enough food, the stars will not reproduce because they cannot produce eggs or sperm without enough nutrition.

    • 4

      Ensure that the tank is in complete darkness, if possible, at night. This is the time when the stars are more likely to breed.

    • 5

      Wait for the spawning season with patience; the stars only breed sporadically, and it could take months.