3 legged starfish?

[Jim Cannon]

I just bought a rock with shrooms over the weekend. This morning I noticed what I can only best describe as a 3 legged starfish. It is about 1/4 to 1/2 inch from the tip of one arm to the other. It has no distinct color.

Can anyone identify it? Is it harmful?

Thanks

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

Most likely it is an Asterina Starfish. They have been reported to eat coral tissue, but this is unconfirmed by what species does this. More often than not, they are quite benign and reproduce well when there is an abundance of available food source, whatever it may be. They have the ability to reproduce asexually by dropping an arm and regrowing it. The dropped arm then forms into a new starfish. This is done quite often, so it is rather uncommon to see a fully developed Asterina Starfish. But rather you see "Comets"; thus named because they look like shooting stars.

 

[Jim Cannon]

thanks for you input Travis. that was fast! *s*

As a newbie, I am sure as time goes on I'll be seeing things like this 'star fish' more often. In a few years I might even think I know enough about a subject to actually give someone a answer to their question. *g*

 

[emerald chondro]

I too have these stars and had them for over six months...so far they havent been a problem and i have seen hundreds all over my front glass.......Their actually pretty cool

 

[Jim Cannon]

Now that you mention that you have them all over your front glass, it recalled in my memory that I had these years ago in my first attempt at a reef tank. thanks. I don't recall them as being a bad thing either.

I love seeing what's living in there. I get all excited when I see something I never noticed before.

 

[AIMFish]

There are a ton in a 180 I know of. I think they are eating the coralline, time to move the Harlequin Shrimp over!

 

[NUBIANTANGLOVER]

I think these are the same critters I have too. I have seen a total of two. I just added corals today---so I will know pretty soon if they can do damage. Both of them have the "3" legs! So, this is probably the same critter you guys have.

 

[kass03]

I've had some in my 150 for over a yr and they just seem to eat algae off the glass and rock.
I only have a few corals like a green tree, bubble and a few shrooms in that tank but they never bothered them.
Mine are asterinas.

kass