critters, critters, everywhere!

[janastasio]

So back in the summer I posted a thread about having a starfish hitchhiker that I was sooooo excited about. It looked like a tiny white serpent star. My DT is now empty of fish (they have been in QT for four weeks due to ich break out). Regardless of being fishless, I still find myself staring for long periods of time at the tank. What I have seen are so many of these star fish that they couldnt even be counted! I have crushed coral bottom to my tank (got the tank with this substrate and never bothered to switch over to live sand). When I look through the glass at the CC, I can see these star fish about every inch. And thats only what I can see through the glass! I am also seeing there skinny legs coming out of alot of most of the live rock when I feed. My copepod population also seems to have increased dramatically. I can see them all over the live rock, all over the substrate and now they are also on the lower 6 inches of the glass! I also now have those small chunky white astea stars too. I dont know if population has increased because fish are out of tank, or if it has to do with change in filtration. Went to a canister filter about 2 mos ago. I'm curious if I might have enough stuff going on in there to house a harlequin shrimp or maybe a dragonet goby. What are your thoughts????

 

[monsteraquatic]

I've never had a problem with (can't remember correct name) baby starfish. Alot of reefers claim they eat corals. There my opionion there the perfect clean up crew. Able to get into every crack and clean throughly. People claim they eat corals but the only reason there on corals is because the coral is dying in the first place. I had hundreds in my last tank and never had a problem.
Sorry about pic. This is all I have left quality wise of my last tank. I use to shoot pictures with a video camera.
You can see some of the star fish above the monti on the back against the glass.

 

[renogaw]

it's definitely because you don't have any preditors in your tank. if you feel the need, i'll come up and grab a bunch from ya

 

[janastasio]

Originally Posted by renogaw
it's definitely because you don't have any preditors in your tank. if you feel the need, i'll come up and grab a bunch from ya
Ha Ha Renogaw!!!

I could see the white astrea stars on the tank wall in the pic, I def have those, but I also have tonnnnnssss of the those little tiny white serpent looling starfish. Anyone have thoughts about the dragonet thing? I know alot of people get their dragonets to take prepared food, but dont want to take any chances!

 

[anonome]

Dragonnets will not eat these.....way too big, and "not their cup of tea." They will however, go after your pods and amphipods. So, if you have plenty of these then you have a good chance.