Starfish Question

NCC-1701 · 01/20/2007, 11:31 AM

I recently added a carpet anemone to my tank and a few days later a couple of very small star fish appeared. It looks like they hitched a ride with the anemone. My question is will it be OK to leave them in the tank or do I need to get them out. The tank is a 215 with lots of soft corals and a few hard corals. They are very small < 1/4 inch in diameter and white.

Gundo5000 · 01/20/2007, 11:34 AM

More than likely mini brittle stars. Nothing to worry about at all.

Paintbug · 01/20/2007, 11:51 AM

long skinny arms, or short fat arms? any chance of a pic?

EdKruzel · 01/20/2007, 11:56 AM

Little skinny arms = Very beneficial, perfectly safe.

Thick stubby arms = Can do a little damage, however in a large tank (and even much smaller tanks) it will be so minimal that the good they do will far outweigh the bad.

NCC-1701 · 01/20/2007, 12:45 PM

I have two brittle stars in the tank (large central areas and five long skinny arms. The new guys are much different. The central area is smaller, with five small stubby arms.

kass03 · 01/20/2007, 02:27 PM

Sounds like an asterina star if it has chubby arms.
Most types are safe but there are a few bad kinds.

I have some in my 150 that never bothered anything.

Heres a hitchiker site with a pict of one but they can look a little different. The legs vary and they can have like 7 or 1 lol cuz they split.

http://www.xtalworld.com/Aquarium/hitchfaq.htm

kass

01/20/2007, 11:31 AM	#1
NCC-1701 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 112	Starfish Question I recently added a carpet anemone to my tank and a few days later a couple of very small star fish appeared. It looks like they hitched a ride with the anemone. My question is will it be OK to leave them in the tank or do I need to get them out. The tank is a 215 with lots of soft corals and a few hard corals. They are very small < 1/4 inch in diameter and white.

01/20/2007, 11:34 AM	#2
Gundo5000 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,534	More than likely mini brittle stars. Nothing to worry about at all. __________________ GUNDO

01/20/2007, 11:51 AM	#3
Paintbug Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Stoneville, NC Posts: 6,169	long skinny arms, or short fat arms? any chance of a pic? __________________ Never ask a girl over to see your crabs!! <-Tony-> Current Tank Info: NONE currently

01/20/2007, 11:56 AM	#4
EdKruzel Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 7,384	Little skinny arms = Very beneficial, perfectly safe. Thick stubby arms = Can do a little damage, however in a large tank (and even much smaller tanks) it will be so minimal that the good they do will far outweigh the bad. __________________ When you find yourself in "Deep Water" it's best to keep your mouth shut! Current Tank Info: 65RR Cube Mixed Reef

01/20/2007, 12:45 PM	#5
NCC-1701 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 112	I have two brittle stars in the tank (large central areas and five long skinny arms. The new guys are much different. The central area is smaller, with five small stubby arms.

01/20/2007, 02:27 PM	#6
kass03 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Kaukauna, Wi Posts: 2,937	Sounds like an asterina star if it has chubby arms. Most types are safe but there are a few bad kinds. I have some in my 150 that never bothered anything. Heres a hitchiker site with a pict of one but they can look a little different. The legs vary and they can have like 7 or 1 lol cuz they split. http://www.xtalworld.com/Aquarium/hitchfaq.htm kass