Baby Starfish?

[KelBell3113]

This piece of live rock we bought is very cool. It has a ton of organisms on it and we discover something new every hour it seems. Can anyone tell me if this is a baby starfish and if so what kind? Thank you!

 

[Lionfish Lair]

It's an asterina and that's the adult size.

 

[ndrwater]

Yup^^^^^

Most are harmless, but a few types are known to eat corals. Many reefers (myself included) consider them a nusance. The can and do reproduce at a rediculous rate.

 

[4FordFamily]

Yup^^^^^

Most are harmless, but a few types are known to eat corals. Many reefers (myself included) consider them a nusance. The can and do reproduce at a rediculous rate.

X2. They seem to spread more with higher nitrate levels and poor husbandry.

Even in my best years I still have some and they've never bothered anything.

 

[KelBell3113]

Thank you all! So far it's just one so we're going to watch and see what happens. If they start to get out of control we're going to get a Harlequin shrimp.

 

[JaimeAdams]

I've had Granted in the years since then I have caught them eating mushrooms and I have caught them eating zoas and palys. There are many species of Asterina, some eat algae, some eat leftovers and some eat softies and fleshy LPS.

 

[Nibejeebies]

I personally like them, they are a part of my cleanup crew, I don't see them often as they stay hidden, but each time I do see one out on the glass or sand I smile. Never seem then bothering anything.

 

[mmw64]

Does anything eat them other than shrimp?

 

[Nibejeebies]

my kole tang has picked at them but has always spit them out from what i have observed.