Chocolate Chip Starfish
Scientific Name : Protoreastor nodosus
Common Names : Chocolate Chip Starfish, Sea Star
Care Level : Easy to moderate
Life span : 5 – 7 years, possibly longer
Size : 6 inches or larger (15 cm)
pH : 8.1 – 8.4
Temperature : 72°F – 80°F (22°C – 27°C)
Specific Gravity : 1.020 – 1.025
Carbonate Hardness (dKH) : 8 – 12°
Origin / Habitat : Red Sea
Temperament / Behavior : They are generally peaceful.
Breeding / Mating / Reproduction : Not very common in the home aquarium.
Tank Size : 30 gallon minimum
Compatible Tank Mates : This is not considered a “reef safe” echinoderm. They will eat corals and slow moving invertebrates.
Reef Tank Compatible? : Nope. They will eat any stationary and slow moving animals in your reef tank setup.
Fish Disease : Saltwater Fish Disease – Diagnose, Symptoms and Treatment
Diet / Fish Food : Algae, Shrimp, shell fish, etc. Place the food near the sea star so that it may eat.
Tank Region : All over. They like to attach to the sides of the glass and on live rock or the substrate.
Gender : Hard to determine differences between male and female.
Gallery Photos : Chocolate Chip Starfish Photos
The Chocolate Chip sea star is a somewhat hardy echinoderm. Acclimating them to your tank can take a while longer than most other saltwater organisms because Chocolate Chip Starfish are very intolerant of sudden shifts in water parameters such as pH, temperature and salinity levels.
Even though these Starfish will scavenge around the tank you still need to supplement their diet. Feeding them can be challenging because they are slow moving and the fish in your tank will eat the food before your sea star has a chance to get at the fish food. Use some Tank Tongs to place the food right next to the starfish. It should hover over the food and begin eating. It is important to note that they will eat smaller invertebrates and soft corals.
