Algae? Starfish? Alien? Hopefully you can tell me.

[FunWithFishes]

Hey everyone! So today I noticed this little guy on my live rock and don't know what he is. He's moved a few centimeters over the past few hours, and wanted to know what exactly it is, and if it's anything to be worried about

 

[Angelo Fatica]

That's an asterina starfish, I would pull it out of the tank because they multiply a lot and in my case have eaten some of my polyps of corals, they are more of a pest and hard to deal with if you let them go a while

 

[Mr. Bill]

While there are a few species of Asterina that prey on corals, the majority are beneficial, feeding on algae and detritus. Their population is controlled by available food supply.

 

[Angelo Fatica]

While there are a few species of Asterina that prey on corals, the majority are beneficial, feeding on algae and detritus. Their population is controlled by available food supply.

I must have bad luck lol

 

[Mr. Bill]

I must have bad luck lol

Unfortunately, just like fish with diseases, many corals come with pests included.