Chocolate Chip Starfish (Protoreaster nodosus)

The Chocolate Chip Starfish is a visually striking marine invertebrate, easily recognizable by the dark, raised nodules or "chocolate chips" that dot its body. While it makes for an eye-catching addition to fish-only marine tanks, this starfish is not reef-safe, as it may prey on corals and other invertebrates. In addition to being kept as a unique display animal, the Chocolate Chip Starfish is often used as a steady food source for Harlequin Shrimps once pest starfish populations, like Asterina, have been eradicated.

Care Information

• Maximum Size: Up to 12 inches in diameter.
• Tank Size: 50 gallons minimum; larger tanks with plenty of rockwork for foraging are recommended.
• Diet: Omnivorous; primarily feeds on detritus, leftover food, and sometimes corals or invertebrates in a reef tank. In fish-only tanks, it can be fed pieces of shrimp, fish, or sinking pellets to ensure proper nutrition.
• Water Temp: 72-78°F.
• Salinity: 1.020-1.025.
• Aggression: Peaceful, but not reef-safe; it will consume soft corals, polyps, and other delicate invertebrates.
• Skill Level: Intermediate; requires stable water conditions and supplemental feeding in captivity.
• Reef Compatibility: Not reef-safe; the Chocolate Chip Starfish is known to prey on corals, sponges, and small invertebrates, making it unsuitable for reef tanks.

Special Use - Harlequin Shrimp Food
Chocolate Chip Starfish are commonly used to feed Harlequin Shrimps once pest starfish, such as Asterina, have been eradicated from the tank. Harlequin Shrimps rely exclusively on starfish as their primary food source, and the Chocolate Chip Starfish provides a steady and sustainable food supply when other starfish are no longer available. Care should be taken to rotate starfish or remove them for recovery to maintain a sustainable feeding cycle for the Harlequin Shrimp.

Compatibility and Feeding Considerations
The Chocolate Chip Starfish is not compatible with reef tanks due to its tendency to feed on corals and small invertebrates. However, in fish-only systems, it can be a hardy and fascinating species to care for. Regular feedings of meaty foods or pellets are required to keep the starfish healthy in captivity.

Coloration

• Indo-Pacific Region: The Chocolate Chip Starfish typically displays a pale brown or tan body adorned with dark brown or black "chocolate chip" nodules. Its unique appearance makes it an intriguing addition to tanks, though it should be placed only in non-reef environments​.

Typical Habitat

• Distribution: Native to the Indo-Pacific, including the waters around the Philippines, Indonesia, and the Great Barrier Reef, the Chocolate Chip Starfish is typically found in sandy and muddy areas around coral reefs and lagoons, where it scavenges for food.