Care Level: Easy
Temperament:Â Peaceful
Reef Compatible: No
General Description: The Chocolate Chip Starfish may be one of the most highly recognized starfish in the hobby because of its notable appearance. With many dark protrusions on the surface of the starfish that are reminiscent of chocolate chips on a cookie, the Chocolate chip starfish adds instant appeal to a FOWLR (fish only with live rock) aquarium. Originating from Indonesia, the Chocolate chip starfish can reach an impressive size of 15″ across and comes in a variety of brown, tan, and cream colors. Unlike some other sea stars, the Chocolate chip starfish is a relatively hardy species with easy dietary requirements to fulfill.
Diet Requirements: Chocolate chip starfish are carnivores. Directly offer it pieces of shrimp, clam, squid or other meaty foods at least once a week.
Tank Requirements: An established, minimum aquarium size of 75 gallons is recommended to house an adult Chocolate chip starfish. Any aquarium smaller than 75 gallons would unlikely provide the large, open sandbed a Chocolate chip starfish requires in order to forage. Maintaining stable water parameters is a very important component to the success of keeping this invertebrate; they are intolerable of high nitrates. Chocolate chip starfish can be sensitive to temperature, pH, and salinity changes. Do not house Chocolate chip starfish with fish that can harm it, such as pufferfish and certain triggerfish species. Chocolate chip starfish are not reef safe because they will consume soft corals, large polyp stony corals, sponges, tubeworms, clams and other starfish. It is absolutely necessary to take time acclimating a Chocolate chip starfish; we suggest via drip acclimation. Recommended water conditions: 76-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.024-1.026. Limit air exposure of Chocolate chip starfish when handling.
Purchase Size: Small: 2″ to 3″; Medium: 3″ to 4″; Large: 4″ to 6″; XLarge: 6″+
Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase size is approximate.