Chocolate chip starfish
Protoreaster nodosus · Oreasteridae
Also known as Knobbly sea star
Intermediate
A striking FOWLR starfish — but it eats corals, clams and anything sessile it can reach.
In short: A chocolate chip starfish needs at least 300 L (79 US gal), water at 24–28 °C (75–82 °F) and pH 8.1–8.4. It is peaceful, usually kept singly, and rated intermediate to keep.
- Minimum tank
- 300 L (79 US gal)
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 30 cm (11.8 in)
- Group size
- 1+
Reef & marine husbandry
- Specific gravity
- 1.024–1.026
- Reef safety
- Not reef safe
- With corals
- Eats corals, clams and sponges.
- With inverts
- Eats sessile inverts.
- Minimum in a mixed reef
- 400 L (106 US gal)
- Minimum fish-only (FOWLR)
- 300 L (79 US gal)
- Aggression
- None, but destructive in a reef.
- Feeding
- Spot-feed twice weekly.
Care requirements
- Minimum tank volume
- 300 L (79 US gal)
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Hardness
- 8–12 dGH
- Lifespan
- 4–10 years
- Diet
- Omnivore/carnivore — chopped seafood, pellets, sessile inverts.
- Care level
- Intermediate
Origin & habitat
- Native region
- Indo-Pacific
- Water type
- Saltwater
- Biotope
- Seagrass beds and sand flats
- Natural conditions
- Very stable salinity; slow drip acclimation.
Behaviour & stocking
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Minimum group
- 1 fish
- Swims
- Bottom
- Good tank mates
- TangsDamselsLarge wrasses
- Avoid
- Reef tanksClamsFeather dusters
Breeding & difficulty
- Breeding difficulty
- Advanced
- Sexing
- Not sexable.
- Notes
- Not bred at home.
- Common ailments
- Salinity shockBacterial lesionsCopper poisoning
Will it fit your tank?
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