Starfish ID?

[Psyire]

Hello,

This little guy hitchhiked in on my LR a few months ago and he's growing rapidly. Right now he's about 1.25" across where as he was only about .75" a few weeks ago. Any idea what kind of starfish he is?

The lights play tricks on my camera he looks a 'tan' color in real life.

Thanks!

 

[bluesponge]

dunno what type...

Rule of Thumb, if it has bumps like a chocolate star get it out!

this one looks like he wont eat your softies.... But watch close...

 

[Psyire]

Thanks for the heads up. Although I don't think there are any bumps on this one.

 

[DizziDezi2]

bump

 

[rbrice020378]

That's pretty neat. Sorry can't help with the ID. Do you have another small tank like a quarentine you could put it in till you ID?

At least you wouldn't have to worry until it was id'd

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

If you don't get a positive ID, post in Dr. Ron's forum on Saturday. I believe he's out till then. He may be able to ID it for you.

 

[Psyire]

I'm not too worried as he hasn't touched anything yet. My tank is just in the beginning stages so there isn't much for him to bother anyway. I don't really want to move him either as they are fairly sensitive to changes in water conditions.

I'll ask Dr. Ron if I don't know by then.

Thanks guys!

 

[Psyire]

Bump

 

[SVXH6]

looks like an asternia. i have a bunch of them and they dont bother anything.

 

[Psyire]

I was finally able to snap some more pictures when he appeared for the first time in awhile. I think he's bigger than a 'normal' astrina...

 

[blide]

I think it's an Asterinare if it's tan and is just fine in your tank. However, if you happen to see any that are bluish, I'd yank them out. I've had a few eat SPS in my tank, but the others do no harm.

Scroll down about half way...
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-12/rs/index.php

 

[Psyire]

You might just be right on that.

It's definately Tan with some brown spots, no 'bluish' hues at all.

 

[Psyire]

Just a warning to anyone that reads this.

This starfish eats SPS Acropora. I found out the hard way when I added my first Acro. Hopefully it will recover...

 

[sunfish11]

Looks like an asterina. I haven't had them bother my acro's at all. If your acro was growing any algea or already in trouble then I could see them getting on those corals.

 

[Psyire]

I don't think it was growing any algae as it was just added to the tank a week ago.. Seems to be healthy other than the damage this starfish did to it. I had to pull the starfish off once, and then the second time I removed him from the tank.