ID these brittle stars

BigJim · 10/18/2009, 11:24 AM

I just bought some button polyps and when I opened the bag it was covered in these brittle stars. What type are they and are they reef safe? There were probably a dozen on the rock, I was able to pick off 4. If they are not reef safe, how do I get them off the button polyps before I transfer to my DT. Also, what type is the tan star?

BLKTANG · 10/18/2009, 11:25 AM

I have 1000,s of them in my reef.They never got any bigger.Never got an ID on here.

They are good detritus eaters so i leave um.

BLKTANG · 10/18/2009, 11:27 AM

here is a pic of mine.

BLKTANG · 10/18/2009, 11:28 AM

the Tan star is a micro star.I get rid of them as i c them.(In the sump)

ser_renely · 10/18/2009, 11:51 AM

I have hundreds

Gary Majchrzak · 10/18/2009, 11:59 AM

most likely Ophiactis algicola a desirable species of reef janitor. These stay small.

The other star is an Asterina spp.

BigJim · 10/18/2009, 12:08 PM

So they are reef safe? They will not eat zoanthids or any corals such as button polyps(the coral they came with)?

BLKTANG · 10/18/2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigJim

So they are reef safe? They will not eat zoanthids or any corals such as button polyps(the coral they came with)?

Yes they are safe.

Snakebyt · 10/18/2009, 12:46 PM

i have a few of them in my tank, trying to get more. How do these propagate?

BLKTANG · 10/18/2009, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snakebyt

i have a few od them in my tank, trying to get more. How do these propagate?

I would imagine more food = more starfish.If u were closer u could come get as many as u want from me.My 3 reefing buddies have a huge population from me.

Sea-nut · 10/18/2009, 01:23 PM

get rid of littie tan star ,some of them eat SPS corals.

BLKTANG · 10/18/2009, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sea-nut

get rid of littie tan star ,some of them eat SPS corals.

I agree.I got a crab in my sump that loves-um.

10/18/2009, 11:24 AM	#1
BigJim Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Frederick, MD Posts: 556	ID these brittle stars I just bought some button polyps and when I opened the bag it was covered in these brittle stars. What type are they and are they reef safe? There were probably a dozen on the rock, I was able to pick off 4. If they are not reef safe, how do I get them off the button polyps before I transfer to my DT. Also, what type is the tan star? __________________ There are 3 kinds of people, those who can do math and those who can't.

10/18/2009, 11:25 AM	#2
BLKTANG Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Never,Never Land Posts: 7,061	I have 1000,s of them in my reef.They never got any bigger.Never got an ID on here. They are good detritus eaters so i leave um. __________________ We the few have done so much,for so long,for so little.That we are now qualified to do anything with nothing. ____________________________________________________________________________ Current Tank Info: RR 90 Maganvore sump,250w Hamilton fixture,VorTec's ASM skimmer.

10/18/2009, 11:27 AM	#3
BLKTANG Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Never,Never Land Posts: 7,061	here is a pic of mine. __________________ We the few have done so much,for so long,for so little.That we are now qualified to do anything with nothing. ____________________________________________________________________________ Current Tank Info: RR 90 Maganvore sump,250w Hamilton fixture,VorTec's ASM skimmer.

10/18/2009, 11:28 AM	#4
BLKTANG Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Never,Never Land Posts: 7,061	the Tan star is a micro star.I get rid of them as i c them.(In the sump) __________________ We the few have done so much,for so long,for so little.That we are now qualified to do anything with nothing. ____________________________________________________________________________ Current Tank Info: RR 90 Maganvore sump,250w Hamilton fixture,VorTec's ASM skimmer.

10/18/2009, 11:51 AM	#5
ser_renely Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,820	I have hundreds __________________ RIP: Osc. Clown - Ammonia, YW GobY - overflow, YW Goby - Pistol shrimp, Firefish - acclimation. 5 Fire fish - pistol shrimp, Mandarin - Pistol shrimp!!!!! Current Tank Info: 60g Cube, 15g sump/fuge,Tunze 9010 skimmer, Reefbreeders Photon 16" - 2 Osc. Clowns,2 Lyretail Anthias, Blue Chromis, mp20, mp10....another DAMN pistol shrimp!

10/18/2009, 11:59 AM	#6
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	most likely Ophiactis algicola a desirable species of reef janitor. These stay small. The other star is an Asterina spp. __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

10/18/2009, 12:08 PM	#7
BigJim Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Frederick, MD Posts: 556	So they are reef safe? They will not eat zoanthids or any corals such as button polyps(the coral they came with)? __________________ There are 3 kinds of people, those who can do math and those who can't.

10/18/2009, 12:46 PM	#9
Snakebyt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Lubbock Tx Posts: 2,141	i have a few of them in my tank, trying to get more. How do these propagate?

10/18/2009, 01:23 PM	#11
Sea-nut Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 263	get rid of littie tan star ,some of them eat SPS corals.