Just starting out and need some help with ID.

[JSPerry]

First time posting, and I'm as green as they come (with saltwater anyway), so please bare with me.

Just started cycling a 32gal Biocube yesterday. I used a mixture of dry rock and some live rock from the LFS. Today as I was looking everything over, I noticed what looks like a tiny six legged starfish on the live rock. Good hitchhiker or bad?Sorry for the blurry pic. He/she is about as big around as the end of a pencil eraser.

Thanks for any help!

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[top shelf]

Asterina starfish, they aren't necessarily bad in small numbers but they tend to multiply quickly. They have been known to eat corals as well. Best bet would be to remove it now and any future ones you find.

 

[JSPerry]

Thank you for the info! Hopefully I can find the little bugger again tomorrow (currently at work) and yank him out.


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[top shelf]

No problem, just remove as you see them and you should be alright.

 

[schnebbles]

I had one at first too, and 10 months later I only see a couple in my tank so I wouldn't worry about it until/if they overpopulate.

 

[mcgyvr]

Few claim to have issues with them.. Far more don't.
They have never been an issue for me and I just leave them..

Here is a good site to "browse" and familiarize yourself with the common critters that occur in our little water worlds..
https://www.lionfishlair.com/hitchhikers-guide/