Baby Hitchhiker

[FishboyBT]

I found a baby Brittle Star on my LR I just got. I isolated it in a cup floating in the tank. It is 1 inch across. It also has 6 legs. Isn't that not normal? How should I care for it? (Food)

Are they agressive?

 

[FishboyBT]

Do they eat fish?

 

[graveyardworm]

Chances are its a mini brittle star, they are excellent members of the clean up crew.

 

[FishboyBT]

There were 2 giant ones in it's tank where I got the LR. Parents?It is gray and white. Almost like a sandsifter.

 

[graveyardworm]

The larger ones dont reproduce very commonly in aquariums. The smaller ones do and are frequently found as hitchhikers. Not to say what you have arent babies. Can you post a picture?

 

[FishboyBT]

I'll try.

 

[FishboyBT]

I tried

He's so small.Hard to get a good shot. But you can see he has 6 legs.

 

[graveyardworm]

Some of the micro brittle stars reproduce by dividing, so it is pretty common to find them with more or less legs than what might be considered typical.

 

[FishboyBT]

Could this guy divide into more micros by himself?

 

[graveyardworm]

Yep

 

[prncalbrt]

I was curious about how many of the mini brittle stars can become a problem in your tank. I have a 90g and there are so many of these little stars I can not even count them, all of my substrate is FULL of them and little legs stick out of the rocks everywhere. Mine are all white not dark like the one pictured above.

 

[Two Spot]

they are harmless

 

[graveyardworm]

Their numbers are going to be determined by food availability. So if you have lots its not an issue, they are doing you a service by cleaning up.

 

[prncalbrt]

cool, this is a good thing thanks alot !

 

[Chad Vossen]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10107097#post10107097 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by prncalbrt
I was curious about how many of the mini brittle stars can become a problem in your tank. I have a 90g and there are so many of these little stars I can not even count them, all of my substrate is FULL of them and little legs stick out of the rocks everywhere. Mine are all white not dark like the one pictured above.

i have the same problem, or blessing. my guest are always amazed at the arms sticking out and even more amazed if we find one out in the open. in my opinion, these are the absolute best cleanup crews. dont sting like bristle worms, don't kill snails or bother corals like hermits, and so on.

and i agree that the brittle star above is safe. i would just release it and not worry about it. if in a year you notice a giant bristle worm, then perhaps it is a baby of a larger kind, which usually is still safe.

 

[FishboyBT]

Sweet. How can i get it to divide?