Care
The Tiger Striped Serpent Staris a cryptic, benthic species known from littoral and deeper reef areas, whereit spends its time concealed amongst boulders and corals during the day.Colouration may be beige to pale yellow-orange, with a distinctive pattern ofblack or purple on the disc and banding on the arms. This is a good species forthe mature reef aquarium with plenty of hiding places amongst rocks/corals,along with an open expanse of sand across which it can roam. It will spend mostof the day well-hidden, but at night time it will venture out to scavenge forfood items. Many aquarists like to run a dim moon light during the evening inorder to view their serpent stars as they go about their business under thesubdued illumination. These critters make very good tankmates for fish, corals,and other invertebrates, and should not pose a threat to their safety. However,steer clear of any green serpent stars as these are usually highly predatoryand will gradually work their way through your livestock at night. TigerStriped Serpent Stars should be acclimatised very carefully and slowly over thecourse of an hour or so via drip acclimatisation in order not to shock themwith any differences in salinity or pH. However, once they have settled in totheir new quarters, they should prove relatively hardy. Occasionally serpentstars may shed an arm if stressed, stuck, or attacked; given excellent waterconditions, the arm/s will regenerate over time, although such losses are, ofcourse, to be avoided in the first place. As Tiger Striped Serpent Stars arenocturnal, do remember to give them a feeding after lights out. Many aquaristsfind that they can also target feed during the day by dropping small pieces offood near to where they know the serpent star to be resting (a protruding armor two often gives them away!) and they will often venture out to take food andthen retreat back to their hiding place. Keep water quality high at all times,as these creatures do not tolerate an elevated nitrate level. As with all otherinvertebrates, never use copper based treatments in their aquarium.
Feeding
Although these serpent starswill scavenge amongst all the nooks and crannies in the aquarium in theirongoing search for food, consuming waste food and detritus as they go, theyshould be offered regular supplemental target feedings with meaty fish foodse.g. Mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, krill, chopped prawns etc.
Breeding
This species has not been bredin the home aquarium.
