Seeing Stars (picture)

[Vitaly]

Some time ago I posted about a piece of live rock that I discovered in my sump, that was occupied (unbeknowst to me) by what appears to be a serpent starfish. I moved the rock to my display. At night I would see a tenticle or two reaching out of the rock. Now however, I am seeing several. The rock is a bit larger than a softball.
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As you can see there are two arms extending from a single hole in the lower right...and two arms extending from two seperate holes in the upper left (and one giant aiptasia in the middle).

I am wondering whether this a single star that has grown and is now extending further from the rock, via additional holes...or if there are now mutliple stars in this rock and I moving to occupy seperate compartments in the rock?

Your comments are appreciated...

 

[Chad Vossen]

id say multiple stars, you will like these guys alot as the populate your tank. i have these and the white mini brittles and they are by far the favorite of all my guest.

 

[LeslieH]

Could be either. Some ophiuroids get large enough to extend out of both sides on a softball sized rock.

 

[kraftyforu]

if you look at the picture close enuf you can see that the leg sizes dont match up. one side has thicker looking legs than the other side. with this i would say multiple

 

[willjeff]

The size of the legs can be deceiving, starfish can regenerate legs.

 

[ssbreef]

leg sizes?