Chocolate Chip Starfish (Protoreaster nodosus)
Chocolate Chip Starfish (Protoreaster nodosus)
Protoreaster nodosus gets its name from the dark, dome-shaped ossicles studding its back — hardened calcium carbonate structures built into the skin rather than anything actually edible, despite how much the pattern looks like it belongs on a cookie. It’s one of the hardiest, most beginner-friendly starfish in the trade, but it’s also a legitimate predator of soft coral and small invertebrates, which knocks it out of contention for a true reef tank.
Care level: Easy · Temperament: Peaceful to fish, predatory to soft coral/inverts · Max size: ~10" arm span · Min tank: 30 gal · Reef safe: No · Diet: Omnivore, scavenger + soft coral
At a glance
- Scientific name
- Protoreaster nodosus
- Common name
- Chocolate Chip Starfish
- Water type
- Saltwater
- Care level
- Easy
- Temperament
- Peaceful to fish, predatory to soft coral/inverts
- Max size
- ~10" arm span
- Minimum tank
- 30 gal
- Diet
- Omnivore, scavenger + soft coral
- Reef safe
- No
When it ships
Most non-quarantined stock goes out the week you order. If we do not already have the animal in-house we source it first — allow up to two weeks for it to reach us. Live animals leave Monday and Tuesday, and Early AM Overnight is the only service that carries a live arrival guarantee.
The live guarantee
Shipped Early AM Overnight: a 1-hour DOA window from confirmed delivery, and nothing beyond it. Next Day Air and 2-Day carry no live arrival guarantee, and neither does USPS Priority. Local pickup or local delivery: 24 hours, if you bring a water sample from your aquarium and we test it before the animal goes home. Maintenance clients: 60 days when we service the aquarium at least twice a month, 28 days on a monthly plan.
Expert guidance
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