Ok, Is this a BABY star fish

[scubaguy]

I just noticed it on the noob of my heater and was wondeering if it is a baby star. I know the picture stink and are blurry but that is the best I can do. I can not figure out my camera.

 

[thoroughbred]

I dont think its that hard to figure out if thats a star fish or not. If it looks like one, it probably is...watch it for w while and you'll be able to tell

 

[fedukeford]

Its not a baby, it looks like a asteria star, which stay pretty small
feduke

 

[browniebuck]

Looks like it. I found one this weekend after putting a few new pieces of Live Rock into my display. Yours looks a little better than mine, mine is missing 2 legs! I also found a few small starfish the look like baby serpent stars.
Most likely, yours came from either the live rock or live sand in your tank.

 

[psusocr1]

ya i have 10000 of asteria stars,, they onlyt stay that big and most of them liek mentioned dont have all of their limbs.. they reproduce like crazy in my tanks!

 

[reefforbrains]

genrally considered bad because they reproduce like mad and cover glass, think they are called "Asternia Stars" or something like that. Absolute cleaning machines if you ask me. I like mine. Just beware of thier numbers

 

[reefforbrains]

holy crap. I saw the question and then in the time it took me to type a response it was answered 3 times.

 

[scubaguy]

Thanks for the heads up guys and I will watch for the numbers. Right now have only found one :joy:

 

[ophiura]

I would say 99% of the time they are good. If numbers are a problem, then look at the nutrient load in the system and make adjustments. They are good indicators there.
There are a few species (you CAN NOT identify based on size, color or number of arms) that are SPS predators, much more rarely are there soft coral predators. For the most part, the more common complaint are that they may eat some coralline but overall this should be a minor issue in most tanks. Not the predatory one's are different from the one's on glass and rocks. They do not stumble around trying to find a coral....

 

[reefkprz]

Originally Posted by ophiura
They do not stumble around trying to find a coral....

I am trying to imagine a asterina star moving fast enough to stumble, got a giggle out of it.

 

[watson3]

Originally Posted by Thoroughbred
I dont think its that hard to figure out if thats a star fish or not. If it looks like one, it probably is...watch it for w while and you'll be able to tell

:help:

 

[monalisa]

Scubaguy,
Does your little star look like the attached pic? If so, definitely an asterina. I'm pretty sure they're fine in a reef...I've had them in mine for well over a year (prolific little buggers). I've not seen any problems with them...I think they're kinda cool.
Lisa :happyfish

 

[meleerock]

I just got some really nice live rock as well and noticed a few in my tank too. Crazy!

 

[monalisa]

Originally Posted by MeleeRock
I just got some really nice live rock as well and noticed a few in my tank too. Crazy!
Fun stuff, 'eh???
Lisa :happyfish

 

[stephish]

I like the little guys, you can play "Where's Waldo" with them trying to see them on the live rock (they blend in so well). I have one that's grown to about 1/2" and still has all of his legs, he prefers the glass.

 

[wanabebell]

yes mine reproduce like crazy in my reef
and if numbers become a problem my harlequin would like a treat

 

[yomommasmom10]

um yey i used to have 1 and idk but my black mollies ate it into chunks and ive never saw 1 again

 

[wattsupdoc]

Hey scubaguy, Check out my thread in the DIY, titled limestone as baserock....

You want some?