Mushroom Question and 2 id's plz

[lotuskid]

My young lady bought me a v nice group of lumi green mushrooms on a piece of rock. I've given them a feed and just wondered how often i should be doing it?


Now for the id's. While they were opening and closing i spotted a few other things on the same piece of rock. I think one might be a starfish but not sure what the other "tubey things" are. Hope you can help.

[Germanman]

you dont really need to feed them much most of there food is made through photosynthesis but they sure do better with some feeding. its up to u really the more u feed the faster they grow and take over lol.
as for the first pic thats a baby tiger brittle star..they are usually harmless epically when that small and usually get eaten anyway
the second things look like barnacles but its kinda hard to tell.

[12learn]

hello, i am new here and find a lot of interesting subjects. now for a dumb ?, how and what do you feed mushrooms. my lfs said they are filter feeders and they just siphon food from the water. is there a better way for the to feed. also i'll ask those that know instead of the lfs. where in the tank should they be placed (current, lighting etc). thanks:confused:

[lotuskid]

You can't ask a "dumb" in a newbie forum. Everyone will try and answer any questions you have.

Current and lighting: Mine are halfway up the tank in a medium current.

Feeding: I turned the pumps off then squirted some brineshrimp onto each mushroom. Once they had closed to feed, i turned the pumps back on. Think i'll try feeding chopped cockle next time.

[lotuskid]

What are the tiger brittle stars likely to be eaten by?

Thinking bout adding some peppermint shrimps and a goby/blenney next.

[Germanman]

be careful on the peppermints there are two types and one will eat most soft corals as well as the aptasia. just look up a comparison and get it down. anything will eat the brittles really, other brittles, fish, crabs...etc.

[lotuskid]

Well that explains why i only ever see a few arms sticking out a hole. Why bother coming out when the whole world wants to eat you.

Glad you told me about the peppermints. Bet if i'd just gone into the LFS they'd of told me that all peppermints were reef safe just to make the sale.

[Germanman]

yes they would have....most dont even know that themself