sTARFISH LIKE THING?

[Terry]

HI EVERYBODY. Hope someone can help me? I was looking in my aquarium this morning and i found something that i am not sure about, i have seen this small starfish shaped thing on the glass this morning. looking in my books i have seen that most or all of the starfish in the book have 5 legs and this little thing has 6, it is about 5mm in diametre. Is it ok or is it going to be a menace. please advise.

thanks terry

[austinsdad]

I've seen stars with 4, 5, or 6 legs. Still may be one. It does crawl/move?

[Fluff]

I agree. It's probably a species of Asterina star or very simular. It's not uncommon for them to have 6 legs or for them to be uneven. They reproduce by dropping limbs. I'd only be concerned if this tank has sps corals in it. If so, it warrants watching.

[Terry]

thanks for the quick reply, it does move about the tank and to me it just looks like a very small starfish, being new to marine keeping you here so many stories of things being introduced to aquariums that cause more harm than good. and i think ths has resently been introduced since buying some rock resently.

many thanks Terry