4 starfish and Possibly an anenome

[dad&son]

We have a new 55 tank that is I am gussening in the middle of its cycle.There is about 70 lbs of live rock in the tank that was fully cured when placed in tank.My ammonia level has dropped down to about 0.25ppm nitrates are is about 20 ppm possibly a bit higher .the nitrite level in the tank is about 5.0ppm and my pH has dropped down to just under 8.0 the rock was added in two seperate batches about 50 lbs in the first group upon intial set up and the second about 5 days later. I purchased the LR from to seperate suppliers and the second batch must of had a few hitchhikers I now have found at least 4 small starfish approx. 1/4 of an inch maybe a little bigger and what I think may be some type of invert possibly an anenome. with the tank being in the middle of a cycle will these creatures survive ,the cycle or should I do a water change to try and lower my nitrate level I dont want to ruin the cycle by acting in the wrong manner and I am not even sure if these guys belong in my reef tank (reef safe) any opinion on this would be greatly Appreciated

 

[dmc888]

I would put the rock in a seperate container until the cycle is over. With new water,heater, ph.
Light would be needed for the anemone.
Also might need water changes if levels rise inside the container.
I know they are very sensitive , and i would try to keep them alive.
Probably won't live thru the cycle.
You can do a water change in your 55 but your levels will probably raise back up.

 

[snipe]

The anemone thing could also be aiptasia and it is bad.

 

[dad&son]

could you possible be able to tell me where I might find a picture of that snipe so I could either rule it in or out

 

[masala4080]

Heres a link that explaines everything about them. It also tells you how to get rid of them.
[Link violation]

 

[dad&son]

not sure if it is aiptasia because of its color it is almost coffeee colored .even if it is shouldnt the fact that my tank is still cycling with a nitrite level over 5 ppm and ammonia still present I am figuring they cant survive anyway but they have been in there at least a week and they are all photosensative any other possible IDS on this would be appreciated

 

[dmc888]

I would atleast put the stars in a seperate container.
Most starfish are good to have.
I think aiptasias come in dif colors.

 

[snipe]

Mine was dark like that. Set and think have you seen an anemone a deep brown color before? My pep shrimp ate mine.

 

[ophiura]

The stars are most likely Asterina, I would do a search on the board to see pictures.
Most are pretty tough andmay survive the cycle...after all, the survive being shipping on LR out of the water. Not guaranteed, but probably...and if only one makes it through they will still reproduce so you will end up with them.

 

[dad&son]

Awesome ID on the starfish I checked some pics and that is 99% sure that is what they are thank you so much for the help. From what I read they are simply a sand filtering starfish so they are probably safe for my reef tank Correct?. And if anyone has an ID possibly on the invert that I keep calling a n anenome (sp) i would really appreciate it

 

[ophiura]

Asterina stars are not sand sifters - the are feeding on algal/bacterial films on the glass and LR. It is rather rare, but now and then someone picks up one that is a coral eater, but odds are you do not have those...especially at this stage of the game. They will most likely be safe for your reef.
I would suspect that the anemone might very well be Aiptasia as mentioned. Definitely lots of pics out there...but if it doesn't look like them, a picture would help a lot.

 

[dad&son]

I am not as positive on the ID of the my little brown friend but it probably was that so can I just yank it fromthe tank is that safe or can it spread that way it looks like it has attached to two or three pieces of CC

 

[ophiura]

If it is Aiptasia, then I am afraid physical removal may do little for it other than potentially result in more anemones. Unless it is on a small piece of rock or something and you can just take the whole thing out. There are loads of posts - more than you will care to read - on how to eliminate Aiptasia should you determine that is the critter.

 

[snipe]

I think there like shrooms when they move there is alittle peice left behind and another one grows from it. So if you pull it and you dont get all it then there will be alitte aiptasia growing back soon.