What is this on my rock?(w/pics)

xfactor1315 · 02/09/2013, 11:12 AM

I have a few small black specks on my Moniticap underneath and started looking around and found these. What are the specks on the coral and what are these things circled in red. I found one right next to the cap and a few under a rock next to it.

Charley Diesing · 02/09/2013, 11:32 AM

Looks like some sort of sponge. Unless its around a coral/clam/invert... I usually don't worry about stuff growing on my rocks. Or if its really taking over. Usually stuff comes in outbreaks and will be gone before you know it.

bnumair · 02/09/2013, 11:40 AM

my guess is sponge as well.

xfactor1315 · 02/09/2013, 11:45 AM

cloak · 02/09/2013, 11:53 AM

I'm not sure what those black specs are, but those things that you've circled are asterina stars. (not good) They can reproduce to plague like proportions, and there's been numerous reports of these stars eating certain corals. I think it would be best to start removing them on sight, but that's JMO.

http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index....efkeeping-101-

xfactor1315 · 02/09/2013, 12:05 PM

Thats what i thought they looked like but they dont have all the legs like the others i have seen. i pulled the rock out and removed about 6 of them. the black specs are bugs. i had some red bugs on my acro and these black ones on my monti.trying to dip in coralrx now but i think ill need some interceptor.

Occane5 · 02/09/2013, 12:09 PM

Asterina stars. Unfortunately, I have them too. Been picking them off when I do water changes.

Rsummerville · 02/09/2013, 12:24 PM

Asterina starfish is my guess after the last picture.

JohnniG · 02/09/2013, 12:47 PM

Are they bad for the tank? :O

02/09/2013, 11:12 AM	#1
xfactor1315 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 174	What is this on my rock?(w/pics) I have a few small black specks on my Moniticap underneath and started looking around and found these. What are the specks on the coral and what are these things circled in red. I found one right next to the cap and a few under a rock next to it.

02/09/2013, 11:32 AM	#2
Charley Diesing Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 1,162	Looks like some sort of sponge. Unless its around a coral/clam/invert... I usually don't worry about stuff growing on my rocks. Or if its really taking over. Usually stuff comes in outbreaks and will be gone before you know it. __________________ Have dominion over the fish of the sea Current Tank Info: Currently Tankless: In the planning stage of next build.

02/09/2013, 11:40 AM	#3
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	my guess is sponge as well. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

02/09/2013, 12:24 PM	#8
Rsummerville Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Amherst, Ohio Posts: 144	Asterina starfish is my guess after the last picture. __________________ Tank: 55 gal. mixed reef -----> soon to be a 75RR mixed reef.

02/09/2013, 12:47 PM	#9
JohnniG Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 620	Are they bad for the tank? :O __________________ 65 gal tank under construction

02/09/2013, 11:45 AM	#4
xfactor1315 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 174

02/09/2013, 11:53 AM	#5
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	I'm not sure what those black specs are, but those things that you've circled are asterina stars. (not good) They can reproduce to plague like proportions, and there's been numerous reports of these stars eating certain corals. I think it would be best to start removing them on sight, but that's JMO. http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index....efkeeping-101-

02/09/2013, 12:05 PM	#6
xfactor1315 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 174	Thats what i thought they looked like but they dont have all the legs like the others i have seen. i pulled the rock out and removed about 6 of them. the black specs are bugs. i had some red bugs on my acro and these black ones on my monti.trying to dip in coralrx now but i think ill need some interceptor.

02/09/2013, 12:09 PM	#7
Occane5 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 60	Asterina stars. Unfortunately, I have them too. Been picking them off when I do water changes.