New residents: friend or foe

[bon_jon11]

I dont know what they are but one looks like a 3 pointed starfish and the other lives in the pores of the rock and only shows its hands or pincers to the surface. I never seen its body only its arms and on that same rock there are about 5 colonies of this coral i dont know what it is called. But i think it might have something to do with the coral being stressed out for a few days straight now. Please help me. (should i start removing some of these guys. Thanks

[ckreef]

Without a pic it would be almost immpossible to make any type of determination. Any pics ???

[Proud2B]

The 3 pointed starfish is most likely a bad guy. I have read on the web that irregular shaped and numbered leg starfish that do not "look" like a "normal" starfish are a parasitic animal that will eat and kill a coral. This was supported by my LFS who told me to keep an eye out for them in my tank when I started putting corals in it as they can descimate the corals. From what I have read if they are tan or brownish in color or have any odd coloration then it is best to just eliminate them to be on the safe side. As for the crab he sounds just like a hitchhiker I have that came in on LR and I have yet been able to identify mine. So far he seems harmless.

[EdgeKrusher]

Kinda sounds like you have either a mantis shrimp or a pistol shrimp. without a picture it's going to be hard to for us to ID.

Peace

Edge

[9fishers]

NEMO SUSHI!!!!!!!! Ewweeee!
Edgekrusher....shame on you