Live Rock Hitchhikers

Question
Hello again Todd,
I just put the last of the live rock in my new aquarium and I was wondering if you could answer a few questions about some hitchhikers.
1. I saw some tiny orange starfish about 0.5 in. in diameter.  How big will these get?
2. I saw some small white brittlestars from 0.5-1 in. in diameter, will these eventually grow large to the size of the ones they sell in the store?
3. Finally what are your thoughts about putting 2 damsels in a tank as your first fish.  Will they be too aggressive for clowns and such?
Thanks again for your help.
Justin

Answer

Justin

As you know Live rock contains many hidden inverts.  It;s hard to tell how big these guys are going to get because I do not know what species they are.  Generally the stars can get about 3-5 inches and the white brittle stars can grow quit large I am not sure how big.

I guess you can keep them depending on how big your tank is and what you want to keep for fish.  Some fish will eat these inverts.

I have 2 damsels in one of my smaller tanks (15 gallons).  They co-exist with two clowns, three emerald crabs and one cleaner shrimp.  Damsels are more fiesty towards there own kind and in most cases fish will set-up boundaries for themselves.  

It would help if I knew how big your tank is and what type of damsels  you have. They range from 2 inches to 4 inches depending on the species.  Blue devils are the most aggessive of all damsels.

thanks
Todd