Is this a pest or harmless?

[solomon]

Hi yall I got a new blue starfish a week ago and noticed that there is a worn (I hope) living inside him please check out the pic and let me know if this is harming or just a hitchhiker.

Thanks

 

[mandown123]

Bob Fenner site reveals someone else saw this red worm before, he thought it was most likely commensal, and probably will not spread to anything else. (for what its worth)

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/linckiadisfaqs.htm

Blue Linckia with worm in it 4/22/08 Hi, I have purchased a Blue Linckia 1 week ago and it has a red worm crawling around in it. On the picture below it is the red dot at the top. 1) Is this worm harmful to the star? Harmful to my fish? 2) Can I kill it without harming the star? <Could just be a commensal... a "space parasite" to some... not (very) debilitating... just using the star for home/room. Very unlikely harmful to fishes> Thanks
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>