A New Hitchhiker Found!

[WhiteysTA]

Well, got to lookin at the tank today and noticed something odd. It was moving very slow, but was actually alive! Its some kind of starfish, but looks funny for some reason. Why does it have so many different legs?

 

[WhiteysTA]

My research is pointing me towards an Asterias starfish. Maybe this will be a welcome addition to the tank!

 

[Roger928]

Read all about 'em.

http://wetwebmedia.com/asterinafaqs.htm

 

[breutus]

Yeppers definitly Asterina, I have several in mine(probably more than I realize). I have heard of a few of the guys on here that have gotten them to plague proportions. But it has never been an issue in my tank.

Great addition to the clean up crew!

 

[capncapo]

Some folks claim that asterinas eat some of their corals. Watch them and if they do no harm then just enjoy them. From what I understand 95% are fine but the other 5% need to be gotten rid of.

Don't be too quick to judge as some that are seen on corals are eating what the coral is "shedding" and are not doing any harm.

 

[WhiteysTA]

I dont think i'll ever get coral in my tank, definately not with my niger trigger and koran angelfish! Hopefully they'll leave my star alone and maybe I can get a crop of them goin like the mini brittle stars I have!