(E. Pacific) Chocolate Chip Starfish - Nidoriellia armata

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These starfish are found along the eastern coast of the Pacific Ocean. While they share the common name of "Chocolate Chip Starfish" with the much more common Indo-Pacific counterpart, their appearance is slightly different. They share the darker bumps on a lighter brown or reddish body but the legs are much shorter. These starfish are not Reef Safe and may also prey on some inverts like snails, other starfish or cucumbers.

Starfish in general are very sensitive to changes in water quality and conditions. If temperature, salinity or other water parameters change quickly, starfish cannot regulate the change and are often damaged or killed. Be sure to acclimate carefully and while doing water changes, make sure the "new" water is as close as possible to the "old" water in its parameters.

Most starfish are scavengers. Some may prey on snails and invertebrates while others eat detritus, leftover food, and tiny organisms in and on the substrate and rockwork. Fromia and Linckia starfish are among the group of stars that are considered safe for corals (although Fromia starfish are thought to feed on sponges) and invertebrates while thicker-bodied stars like Chocolate Chip and Bahama stars will prey on snails, corals and other stationary inverts.