tiny little brittle stars?

mdvistnes · 12/01/2008, 02:18 PM

I'd post a photo if I had one, but these tiny little brittle star looking starfish are so tiny.

All over the place in the rocks and base of corals. Most are about 3/4 inch in diameter. Sort of tan with black stripes. I think they are harmless but have always just assumed this. Anyone know what they are? The reason I ask is I notice they accumulate around the base of many of my larger acropora and pocilopora and wondered if they could be choking them off at the base as some of them don't look so good.

Any thoughts?

acrodave · 12/01/2008, 02:21 PM

they are fine ..they eat poo and left over food..they will never get big or come out of the rock

mc-cro · 12/01/2008, 02:22 PM

as long as they look like brittle stars, they are fine. they are called micro brittles, clever name huh?. part of a healthy tank.

now, if they look like regular starfish, you got problems.

matthewscars · 12/01/2008, 02:50 PM

I have millions of them. They have never harmed anything. When I feed they come out like crazy.

snorvich · 12/01/2008, 03:27 PM

Generally, they are desirable.

12/01/2008, 02:18 PM	#1
mdvistnes Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Palo Alto, CA Posts: 181	tiny little brittle stars? I'd post a photo if I had one, but these tiny little brittle star looking starfish are so tiny. All over the place in the rocks and base of corals. Most are about 3/4 inch in diameter. Sort of tan with black stripes. I think they are harmless but have always just assumed this. Anyone know what they are? The reason I ask is I notice they accumulate around the base of many of my larger acropora and pocilopora and wondered if they could be choking them off at the base as some of them don't look so good. Any thoughts?

12/01/2008, 02:21 PM	#2
acrodave REEF NERD Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: maryville tn-- work in knoxville Posts: 4,187	they are fine ..they eat poo and left over food..they will never get big or come out of the rock __________________ Peace,Dave Superman puts on Tim Tebow pajamas when he goes to bed The Heisman as a sophomore nuff said Less technology more biology Tattoos are the only art you can take to the grave Current Tank Info: 26gal bow,20gal mantis tank/fuge150wHQI,20k AB Seio 620 maxijet1200x's 2 on a wave maker. all sps

12/01/2008, 02:22 PM	#3
mc-cro (macro) Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 2,238	as long as they look like brittle stars, they are fine. they are called micro brittles, clever name huh?. part of a healthy tank. now, if they look like regular starfish, you got problems. __________________ Time is the most valuable thing you have... spend it wisely Current Tank Info: 60x26x24 AGE 3 sided starphire

12/01/2008, 02:50 PM	#4
matthewscars Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Astoria, NY Posts: 657	I have millions of them. They have never harmed anything. When I feed they come out like crazy. __________________ A plane passed silently overhead, the streetlights, and the buds on the trees and the night, were still. Current Tank Info: 90g Reef/35g Sump with Foam Rock Wall. 10g Propagation Reef. 55g Goldfish Tank.

12/01/2008, 03:27 PM	#5
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	Generally, they are desirable. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~