starfish hitchhiker

[donnamc68]

Hi found this guy on the mushroom rock i just bought can anyone tell me what kind of starfish this is and if his ok to keep in my 7 gal bowfront nano tank. thanks
Donna
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=238244&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500[/url]

 

[rissaroo]

hey not sure what kind it is but I have one just like it named stubby for about three months in my reef tank....it hasnt seemed to bother anything but it likes staying in dark places....I like it!

 

[donnamc68]

thanks! i think i found out what this guy is!
http://www.oceanwideimages.com/enlargeImage2.asp?pID=2477&cID=74&rp=categories.asp?cID=74&p=1


Mine doesn't hide just stays on the top of the glass and goes around the tank.....

Donna

 

[greenbean36191]

Linckia multifora is one of the hardiest species in the hobby and does well in smaller tanks, but a 7 gal is just too small. The diet of these guys is unknown, but whatever it is they seem to get it by grazing on LR, so it seems like the available surface area of mature LR is the limiting factor in their success in reef tanks. It will likely do ok for a year to 18 months in your tank, but will almost definitely starve to death.

 

[donnamc68]

Thanks greenbean on the heads up i'll see how he does and in a year if i need to i can always sell him or give him to a saltwater fish store.