Baby Sea Stars!

[Mynx]

Hi! I'm Mary, I'm very new to the saltwater/reef experience, although I'm having plenty of help from experienced people to get everything ready.

Yesterday I went to pick up some live rock from a person tearing down his salt tank, and this morning POOF we found baby starfishes! (Short-spined serpent star says my book of knowledge, the guy said his star was a chocolate-banded starfish.)

The rocks and starfish are still in buckets at the moment as we had some confusion over his salinity, so my question is, how do I care for them? I'd like to give them the best chance possible and let them grow. We do have their parent as well, but in the opposite bucket, should I place the parent with them, or leave them separate? Should they go in the tank with the rocks when it gets transferred or keep them in the bucket with some care?

Thank you in advance!

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Those are likely micro brittle stars. That's as big as they get.

 

[billdogg]

They sound like mini brittle stars to me. Max size is about3" tip to tip. They are oy distantly related to the other star. They are a great addition to the clean up crew.

 

[Dproch]

Get heat and water movement in those buckets quickly or they won't last long.

 

[Mynx]

Very interesting, do they just hitch rides on corals? Cause he only had the one type of starfish and now we have 5-6 in total. I've read about micro stars and was really interested in seeing if I could find some... guess I got what I wanted! Thanks!

Heat is already there, didn't put much movement in because that bucket is just base rock, was not expecting larger lifeform lol.

 

[clay12340]

Very interesting, do they just hitch rides on corals? Cause he only had the one type of starfish and now we have 5-6 in total. I've read about micro stars and was really interested in seeing if I could find some... guess I got what I wanted! Thanks!

Heat is already there, didn't put much movement in because that bucket is just base rock, was not expecting larger lifeform lol.

They're a pretty common beneficial hitch hiker in live rock. They're a lot of fun. You just see little arms waving around when the tank is fed. They don't seem to need much in the way of special care, and just eat what others miss. Basic husbandry for your other stuff will take care of them well.

 

[Mynx]

Thanks! Hopefully we'll get them all settled in pronto and happy.