Newly found hitchhiker

[SimpleAznMan]

I have owned my 20gal tank for almost 2 years now and have not added anything new for 1.5 years. No new rocks, no new snails/crabs, no new fish, no nothing. I cleaned my tank about a week ago + 40% water change. I even used a razor blade to scrap off algae from the glass. I did not discover this little guy (sea star) until today. So... somehow he survived in my tank for 2 years and multiple tank cleaning (with razor blade scrapping off algae) and I never noticed him. The other mystery is... it is smaller then my pinky nail, it only got that big after 2 years in my tank?

I will take a picture of him to be ID'd later on, my camera is dead... The back of it black, maybe chocolate chip sea star?

Does anyone know if sea star can emerge from a rock after long periods of time? And how do I take care of this little guy..? I have a fish only tank with couple snails/crabs for a clean up crew.

 

[mscarpena]

Mini brittle starfish??

 

[mscarpena]

or asterina star.

 

[SimpleAznMan]

Pictures are pointing at asterina star...

Yet I have never seen this thing before and I thoroughly clean my tank.. Can it become dormant and stay inside rocks..?

 

[mscarpena]

Came from something you added. Coral or rock.

 

[LeslieH]

It's eating the organic film off the rocks & glass. They can certainly stay hidden for long periods & since it's survived this long without special care you don't have to change a thing. Most tanks - especially those with rockwork - have lots of inverts that the owners never see.