Carnation tree pest

[Allmost]

Hello,
so yesterday I got a carnation tree coral, upon inspection, I see some similarly colored brittle stars on it, they are tiny, and extend their tenticles when I feed the tank [over 8 times a day]

Pest ? or do they live with the coral ?

the similarity of the colors makes me think its a pest for the coral. but wasnt sure if I should remove them or not yet.

any thought is appreciated.

 

[Allmost]

they are like these ... I will try to take a pic, but meanwhile
http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.oceanwideimages.com/images/7569/large/brittle-star-24M1215-01.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.oceanwideimages.com/categories.asp?cID%3D62%26p%3D3&h=370&w=550&sz=163&tbnid=w8MFR7lWIqBccM:&tbnh=94&tbnw=139&prev=/search%3Fq%3DBrittle%2BStar%2B(Ophiothrix%2Bsp.)%2Bon%2BDendronephthya%2BSoft%2BCoral.%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=Brittle+Star+(Ophiothrix+sp.)+on+Dendronephthya+Soft+Coral.&usg=__MuACp_nogsfwyChSqrJg1L-11LQ=&docid=Tm_ha-CrhfPLXM&sa=X&ei=LKAOUe-GN5KFyQGSvICgDw&ved=0CDQQ9QEwAQ&dur=313

 

[MARINECRITTERS]

While I am not totally sure, the stars could just naturally blend in to hide from predators, they would also consume some of the food that the carnation coral captures.
So all in all, if you think it would be easy, remove them, just to be safe.

 

[MarineSniper]

If the coral is healthy, I'd hold off doing anything, and watch it closely. We know so little about these corals and it could be a symbiotic relationship. Did you get the coral from a retailer, or an individual?

 

[Allmost]

thanks guys, left it in for now, I got the coral from a LFS, but it doesnt look that good .... not fully opened yet, but will wait and see.

ill update here if I get any sort of success