baby brittles ID

[markus0909]

These guys showed up about 2 months ago. The were very tiny, smaller then a dime. But now there are some well over 2" and don't appear to be slowing down. I have about a 100 of them or so. Are they good for reef? I don't think I need a 100 of them if they keep getting bigger.
Please help, Thanks

 

[ophiura]

Hmm. It is unlikely that they will get much larger than that, though since I can't tell the species it is hard to know. This variety reproduces both sexually and asexually by splitting (usually 3 arms are shorter and regenerating).
They are considered highly beneficial so no worries. Like I said I doubt they will get much larger...it would be the first I've heard of a larger 6 armed species in the trade. At this point I would sit back and enjoy - you have some nice additional scavengers there

Do you have LR from one location? (eg all fiji, all caribbean, etc?)

 

[jackri]

Cool!
I love when good stuff shows up unexpected

 

[markus0909]

My rock is from various locations. A few months ago I bought a piece of rock with Tourch and Feather dusters attached. I think that was the source of these babies.
So I take it the 6 legged brittles are usually different then 5?
PS-thanks for the info

 

[markus0909]

I should note, almost all have perfect legs. The one in the pic I believe was injured in my pic process..........whoops! He took one for the team

 

[ophiura]

Yes, the 6 legged species are different from others, and all reproduce in part by fission or splitting.
Its not necessarily accurate that they are "baby" brittlestars...just a small species. Typically these are in the genus Ophiactis or Ophiocomella.
This is what I believe is an Ophiocomella, next to a cousin - which is a much larger species.
The second picture is of an Ophiactis, which is taken from the book "Seastars, Sea urchins and allies." The primary thing I would need to see are the big plates right at the base of the arm.