Do Starfish Add To The Bioload Like Fish or Like Corals?

[Reinhold]

I'd like to add one or two Blue Linka Starfish to my tank, but I'm maxed out on fish right now. Do starfish add to the tank bioload in the same manner as fish, or are they more like corals and snails in that manner?

[Ninong]

I would think that anything that is alive is part of the bioload; retention and regeneration of nutrients is all part of the process of living. Everything in a reef tank has its own place in the food chain and how much impact an individual specimen has on the overall bioload in this tiny ecosystem depends on its biomass and the nature of its biological mechanisms.

Ninong

[Reinhold]

I am fairly limited in the numbers/inches/grams of fish I can successfully keep in my 60 gallon tank. But, because many corals utilize photosynthesis for energy, and metabolize differently than fish, I am able to keep many more corals than fish and still maintain good water parameters.

Where do starfish fall in this continuum of bio-load, between photosynthesizing corals and meat-eating, pooping fish?

[scubadude]

Hi Reinhold

I think it also depends on the type of starfish....some eat the pods and others dont.....but Im not real big on Stars so thats about the extent of my knowledge....I believe the Fromia linkia stars are safe for SB's and maybe some others. Oh yeah....stay away from them chocolate chip stars I think those are Pod eaters!

[Jefe12234]

I could be wrong here, but I would think that the only way an animal can contribute to your bio-load is if you feed it. Since most starfish and snails are scavengers (I believe), they would not contribute to the bio-load unless you specifically feed them. Essentially, they're just recycling nutrients that are already in the water.

Also, I would think that a slow moving star or snail would have a slower metabolism than a free swimming fish, and therefore not create as much waste.

Just my thoughts

[Mikeman]

scubadude, chocalate chips eat everything not just pods , I think you can get the star as sometimes ppl get these stars as part of their clean up crew, also just so you know these guys hind alot, so only in a great while do you see these guys.

[scubadude]

Originally posted by Mikeman
scubadude, chocalate chips eat everything not just pods

LMAO....well I thought I had heard multiple ppl say it....and I thought I even heard Dr. Ron say they are no good for your SB, which is really quite a shame....cuz they are beautiful creatures!

[organicreefer]

i think the bioload an organism puts on the tank is directly related to how it respires and what it eats.if it needs oxygen and food inputs (fish)then it is putting a larger bioload than something that is eating what is already there(snails grazing,scavengers,corals absorebing doc's and trace elements).as for starfish and their contributing bioload ..its probly not much if you dont directly feed them everyday.i have read where julian sprung has recomned 10 brittle stars for a already well stocked 55 gallon.

[Ltspd]

IMO Ninong hit it on the head. Any living organism adds to the bio-load some how. The amount that is added to the bio-load I would imagine is relative to the amount it comsumes in the tank. Fish would be on top since they eat the most, or atleast they appear to eat the most ;) Then I would say things such as starfish and shrimp would be next, and so on down the chain.

I would say that if your tank is that overstocked then it could be more of a problem.

This might be a good question for Dr Ron on ReefCentral. Let us know if he answers.

[golfish]

Another thing you should think about is can your tank support 2 of these starfish. They need lots of film algae.

[Reinhold]

This might be a good question for Dr Ron on ReefCentral. Let us know if he answers

I'll ask him and post the results here. Good idea.