Catching micro serpents, Please ID critter also.

[labar914]

What in the world is the best way to catch micro serpent stars? My friend would like a few, along with the LFS. I have alot of them, the population exploded, I think we determined in the past it was because while I was away I had increasing nitrates from my husband way overfeeding. They range is size from 3 inches to pin-point.
Also, is the critter below an Asterina seastar? That is the closest ID I could come up with, before I release him I just wanted to make sure that he is a harmless little guy.
Thanks a bunch.

 

[ophiura]

It is an Asterina star, most likely harmless. There is a "disclaimer" I will add that a very very few are not safe, but the overwhleming majority cruise the rocks and glass, grazing on microbial/algal films.
For the microbrittles, :notsure: Giving them a few cups of sand comes to mind as the easiest way. Probably could come up with some sort of trap somehow.

 

[labar914]

Originally Posted by ophiura
Probably could come up with some sort of trap somehow.
Do you think a Bristle Worm trap would work? So far I have been sucking them up when I vacum and let my son sort thru the dirt, he is cheap labor. Most end up OK, but some lose an arm or two.
Thank You

 

[ophiura]

An arm or two is no concern. And if they get a few "seed" stars they will get more. Both the brittlestars and the Asterina reproduce very well in our tanks :yes: But a bristle worm trap may work...just haven't used them :notsure: