Question

[xxdday77xx]

1. I got these star things? they just came out of no where? are they bad?

 

[fishman1069]

What do they look like? Are they small and have different sized legs? Can u get a pic? Most likely Asternia stars which are known for munchin on zoas and such. The best way to get rid of them is with a Hrlequin shrimp. Please research the shrimp first tho, so you can make sure you can care for him after all the asternias are gone.

 

[xxdday77xx]

its very small and brown. but i cant find it now. all i got is a 10 gallon tank so i cant get anything too big

 

[xxdday77xx]

i just looked up pictures of them and the one in my tank had no white on it. it was just brown, and its legs were alot longer then those

 

[fishman1069]

I didnt relize it was a 10 gal tank lol. Is it just 1 star you see or a bunch? If its small and brown but has longer legs it could be a brittle star, which are good for your tank. Its best to try and get a pic tho, so we can give you a definite answer.

 

[ryangrieder]

Does it have little "feeler like" tentacles on it's legs? what's the size? Ever go on your glass?

 

[xxdday77xx]

i found it like in my crushed coral kinda like between it and the glass. i still cant find it tho. i know it wasnt there at the beginning

 

[xxdday77xx]

it was about half an inch

 

[basiab]

It is probably the small brittle stars which don't get much bigger than a dime from tip to tip. They are good cleaners.

 

[KathyC]

It is usually most helpful to include a pic when asking us to identify creatures found in your tank

Can you tell us if it is one of the following 2 starfish that are commonly found in reef tanks? Either one can be a variety of colors.

Micro Brittle Star - these are usually no more than the size of a quarter:

Asterina Starfish:

 

[xxdday77xx]

its not those two. it had much longer legs. but i didnt put it in there? so how could it get in there?

 

[PetShopBoy]

it may be a brittle star. I have one that only came out once as far as I know. Mine generally hides in a rock and only extends its legs out for food. As to where it came from, it is probably a stowaway like mine was.