Any idea what this could be?

Goldstripe · 04-29-2006, 10:12 PM

My wife pulled this out of the tank tonight. Kinda looks like a star that is missing some legs but I'm not sure. It's about 3/8" long, this was a macro shot. Thanks in advance.

ReelFreak · 04-29-2006, 11:39 PM

Hey goldstripe..... I think I remember some threads on RC about these. Everyone described them as stars missing legs. Some said they could be invasive and multiply rapidly and to get rid of them. Others seemed to have no issues with them. Sorry I've got no link to the threads, but they looked very similar. No one seemed to report damage to their reef though....Bump if nothing else.

Goldstripe · 04-29-2006, 11:43 PM

Thanks Sam. I posted this in the pests and hitchhikers board. By the way, I threw up some updated pics on the "other" board tonight, lol.

Joseph · 04-30-2006, 12:05 AM

It is hard to tell from the pic but are they possibly Asterina stars?
http://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/showthread.php?t=163871

Goldstripe · 04-30-2006, 12:12 AM

Thank you soo much Joseph, I think that's the one. Maybe I shouldn't have zoomed in quite so much. That's the only one I've seen in the tank. But I'm sure it's like anything else, if you've seen one, there's probably tons in there.

smeese · 04-30-2006, 12:30 AM

Yeah that is them I bet, often disfigured from rapid reproduction.

Joseph · 04-30-2006, 08:55 AM

If you have seen one then you will likely soon have more than you can count as they produce very rapidly. As far as I know they are not harmful.

MikeAtJax · 04-30-2006, 09:08 AM

I have heard both ways so if I see one I remove it.

mbdave · 04-30-2006, 10:21 AM

If they bother you get a harliquin shrimp. They way cool and a natural predator to starfish

Goldstripe · 04-30-2006, 10:22 AM

all starfish or just the little guys? I have a brittle and a linkia that I like.

mbdave · 04-30-2006, 03:27 PM

Yep they are indiscriminate.