Found a starfish in my aqurm

[Lauramichelle]

My tank has just completed its initial cycle. I was getting a water sample to have tested prior to CUC addition and discovered this tiny starfish. Is it something I need to worry about? Thank you.

 

[Sergie]

As to my knowledge, most of those species are ok. Some can harm some corals. The only real problem is that they reproduce at an alarming rate. I had some in my 30 gallon and started picking them out after awhile. They're kind of cool to look at at first.

 

[Fish-guy]

They are called asterina stars. I have them too. So far they don't bug my corals but I've heard of people having to remove them because they munch on corals.

 

[Sergie]

That's the name! I was leaning towards Astraea, but I knew those were snails...

 

[Cantareadio]

Lucky! Keep em they will clean your tank walls
if they get out of hand get a clown shrimp to eat them.

 

[Lauramichelle]

Thank you everyone for the help. I knew this site would be fantastic.

 

[joy13]

This is my favorite hitchhikers guide to saltwater aquariums http://www.chucksaddiction.com/ikers

One thing to remember if you get something to eat a pest that pest could be its only real food on its menu.

 

[mr_X]

don't worry about it. they mostly eat algae as stated.

 

[Lauramichelle]

Thank you Mr X. Is there any way of telling if my sand sifting starfish is getting enough to eat? I don't know if he eats algae like the little one, but he seems to stay buried under the sand. I would hate for him to be growing hungry.

 

[mr_X]

Sand sifters don't do well in closed systems. I've never seen them eat algae. They allegedly eat microfauna in the sand bed and if you have a new tank, it's not going to have any of that. Chances are it's starving to death right now. I have heard some people having luck putting meaty foods in the sand bed, but i've never seen a sand sifting starfish eat a piece of meaty foods.

 

[Lauramichelle]

That's not good news Mr X. I guess I'll take him back to the coral shop I bought him from. I'd rather do that than have him die because of me.

 

[Fish-guy]

I've got one as well and I am worried about him starving as well. I would like to see mine go to a very established tank because the stores tank might starve him too

 

[Lauramichelle]

Found another hitch hiker this morning. Small and spindly.

 

[Lauramichelle]

Found another hitch hiker this morning. Small and spindly.

Better photo

 

[Lauramichelle]

Better photo

 

[mr_X]

Mini brittle starfish. reef safe.

 

[Lauramichelle]

Thank you Mr X.