Bulldogger2008
New member
These two have been laying on top of one another every chance they get, what exactly is going on? Could they be, no way, is it possible that my stars are humping?
Sand Sifters Maiting ???
- Thread starter Bulldogger2008
- Start date
ScubaDiver93
New member
Tagging along. I was about to ask the same thing. I have about four in my tank and they seem as if they are mating.
greenbean36191
Premium Member
You're likely seeing pseudocopulation. These stars are broadcast spawners like all other stars, but in order to increase the odds of their gametes meeting in the water they will climb on top of one another before releasing them. In captivity they rarely ever release the gametes though (probably because they don't have enough food to make them) and even if they did, the larvae would never survive without specially designed systems.
i have seen this also, was about 2 years ago and about 3 months ago i actually found baby star fish, i know of atleast 3 in my tank some only have three legs and others have 5. i have a lot of live rock so i assume they had good hiding spots. if i see them again soon i will get a pic or 2.
greenbean36191
Premium Member
The baby stars are most likely adult Asterina stars, which are common hitchhikers. They have strange numbers of legs because they reproduce by splitting and then regenerating.
