ID Help!

[bheron]

Ok, please tell me this isnt a flatworm. Or some kind of "bad creature".

From the bottom it looks like a harmless starfish:

(its hard to see from this pic - its in the middle of the picture right underneath the corraline)

But then from the top it looks SCARY!

This is the best pic I got:

Im hoping its nothing I need to get out ASAP b/c I dont know when I'll see it again!

A) Flatowrm
B) Asterina Star
B) None of the above

 

[Lake75]

Looks like a sea star to me. If so, then I have many of these in my tank.

 

[Aquabucket]

Even though the picture is not the best it apears to be an Asterina starfish ~ a very common hitchiker. Some can feed on corals but I have yet to come across one that did.

 

[Paintbug]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8234501#post8234501 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Aquabucket
Even though the picture is not the best it apears to be an Asterina starfish ~ a very common hitchiker. Some can feed on corals but I have yet to come across one that did.

agreed! most are harmless algae eaters! and looks like the one you have just split so you probably have more .

 

[bheron]

phew - thats great news! I was getting all skeeved out that it was some kind of predator that would multiply and take over the tank.
cool. havent had these before.

thanks!

 

[AquaReeferMan]

They will multiply rather fast. They will drop a leg of and a new star will grow. Although most people say they are safe some in my tank have been killing off my coraline.

 

[bheron]

aqaureeferman - thats interesting. b/c i have almost EXCESS corraline recently and I could use the help. Maybe thats why Im seeing it appear - the corraline?

PS - and, thats where it was - not on the sand but on the tank glass right by the corraline.

HMMMmmmmmmmmm. Thanks.,

 

[melev]

Asterinas are usually safe, but if they look bluish in color they will eat your SPS, ime.