starfish ID?

[dilligaf_biker69]

stars have been washing onto the local beaches...some alive...some dead...this one was dead...reef safe?...cool looking anyhow...purple centers and orange/peach outside edges...click on image for larger pic....thanks for the help

 

[fvandijk]

I'm no expert, but it looks like what is referred to as a Beaded Sea Star (Astropecten articulatus) in Humann & DeLoach's Reef Creature Identification (p.363).
Don't know whether it's reef safe or not (I guess if it's dead it won't be doing too much damage )

 

[dilligaf_biker69]

that one is...LOL...but I do see Live ones in the surf zone....so thats why I was wondering if its reef safe...but thanks for some info...a start for me to research...thanks again

 

[givemeajob]

Hey Roy,
I've found one of those myself before and had it in my tank and never had any problems with it although you have to make sure it gets fed from time to time or it will starve.

If you see anymore grab a few for me and I'll come get them from you.

TJ

 

[dilligaf_biker69]

what do they eat?...silversides like a brittle stars?...are they rock crawlers or sand dwellers?..will they hang on the glass?...I cant find much more info on them.....

 

[waterfaller1]

Any type of common star like that you find at the beach is not going to be reef safe. If he was at the shore do you think he was eating algae? I doubt it...I would be very cautious.

 

[cschweitzer]

Don't try it unless you know...

 

[cschweitzer]

E-mail these guys with your pics and a little history (where you found them, size, shape, anything interesting that might help ID). They are the true source for all information relavent to marine and freshwater:

crew@WetWebMedia.com