Starfish

[njbeacher]

This guy hitchhiked in some macro algae I picked up today. I am curious as to what it is. It has 3 long arms and 3 really short ones. Are the small ones regrowing into longer ones? It looks a little like a brittle star, but I would hate to be wrong and have this be a detrimental type. That is a very pale and small peppermint shrimp next to him.

 

[usefulidiot213]

Looks like a brittle star growing back his little arms. Good scavenger..

 

[mie]

I agree.

 

[njbeacher]

Thanks

 

[ophiura]

Highly beneficial and common hitch hiker, probably in the genus Ophiactis. There are many. They reproduce through fission (splitting) and half is nearly always regenerating. Won't get larger, but will reproduce well