star polyp

Question
QUESTION: im marcus and i have a 30 gallon tank with 2 damsels 1 clownfish and a scooter blenny, also a choclate chip starfish and banded coral shrimp and some coral and snails etc. i have a star polyp i got about three days ago and its not opening up the other coral i got the same day is fine and i was also wondering if the rock anemone on the rock with the star polyp make it close up. I also have 2 damsels so should i get rid of them if i plan on getting any other fish. thanks.

ANSWER: Hi Marcus. It may take several days for the star polyps to open up and adjust to your tank. They prefer areas with a high currant and will not thrive in low currents. They also prefer intense lighting although they may adjust to lower light levels. If you are seeing a rock anemone on the same rock as the polyps you are going to want to get rid of it. These anemones have a potent sting and will use this defense when competing with other invertebrates for space. You should really be concerned with the chocolate chip starfish you have in your tank. These are definitely not reef safe and will often chow down on any coral polyps in your tank. You should not keep this species of starfish with any soft corals, stony corals or sea anemones. If the starfish even crawls across the rock with the polyps on it, besides them being eaten, the polyps will become stressed out and remain closed up a great deal of the time. As for getting rid of your damsels, that is entirely up to you and what other fish you are planning to put in there. Damsels are very active members of a reef tank. They are also very beautiful. Their only draw back is their territorial nature. If the fish you plan on getting is allot bigger than the damsels they may leave it alone. If it is small and fragile they may pick on it. It will also depend on what kind of damsel you have. Some are more aggressive than others.

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QUESTION:  
i thought i would be able too get some soft coral because the ctarfish is small and almost dead so when hes not doing to good he stays on the glass, i have had him for 7 months and have not yet seen himm on the rock so i got the coral because he is probably going to die within the next day or two.

Answer
Starfish are not very long lived in a tank environment. As for the star polyps just give them a few more days, make sure they are not being moved around or tread on too much by the other invertebrates in your tank, keep them in an area of intense lighting and high current, and make sure your water quality is good. They should open up in a few days!