Found this starfish looking critter recently and don't know what it is

Killermanjarro · Mar 22, 2023

https://preview.redd.it/whr2ly6llcp...ed&s=5de4e9f5a40a52e071ae3761a0bf8c80845decc0

Seen this guy today and don't know what he is. I did add some new corals recently (Hammers, torch, and some zoas) but they were all dipped. The mushroom in the picture has been in my tank, he must have worked his way over to it. Trying to figure out if I need to get rid of it.

dedragon · Mar 22, 2023

pic is too blurry to id it. Might be best to bring it closer to the camera for the picture

Soren · Mar 22, 2023

Killermanjarro said:
https://preview.redd.it/whr2ly6llcp...ed&s=5de4e9f5a40a52e071ae3761a0bf8c80845decc0

Seen this guy today and don't know what he is. I did add some new corals recently (Hammers, torch, and some zoas) but they were all dipped. The mushroom in the picture has been in my tank, he must have worked his way over to it. Trying to figure out if I need to get rid of it.

It looks to me like a "ninja star" snail (Lithopoma phobium), which is a beneficial algae eater.
Can you tell if it is hard or soft? Is it rigid or do the points move independently from the body like a starfish?

MnFish1 · Mar 22, 2023

Soren said:
It looks to me like a "ninja star" snail (Lithopoma phobium), which is a beneficial algae eater.
Can you tell if it is hard or soft? Is it rigid or do the points move independently from the body like a starfish?

It looks a little like an asterina star as well - BUT - as @Soren said - it seems to look more snail like. Either one would be harmless

Killermanjarro · Mar 22, 2023

dedragon said:
pic is too blurry to id it. Might be best to bring it closer to the camera for the picture

Best I could do, might be time for a phone upgrade.

Killermanjarro · Mar 22, 2023

Soren said:
It looks to me like a "ninja star" snail (Lithopoma phobium), which is a beneficial algae eater.
Can you tell if it is hard or soft? Is it rigid or do the points move independently from the body like a starfish?

its pretty rigid. I think you're right about it being a ninja star snail. Thanks!

Killermanjarro · Mar 22, 2023

MnFish1 said:
It looks a little like an asterina star as well - BUT - as @Soren said - it seems to look more snail like. Either one would be harmless

Good to know that its harmless, love a free clean up crew member.

Soren · Mar 23, 2023

Killermanjarro said:
Good to know that its harmless, love a free clean up crew member.

They are one of the best herbivores from what I've read about them and based on costs to purchase them. They are as efficient at eating algae as Astrea (Lithopoma tectum) snails and also have the ability to flip themselves back over if turned upside down.
They also have the added benefit of an interesting appearance with the star shape.

My future clean-up crew orders are likely to include them for each of my tanks.

MnFish1 · Mar 23, 2023

Soren said:
They are one of the best herbivores from what I've read about them and based on costs to purchase them. They are as efficient at eating algae as Astrea (Lithopoma tectum) snails and also have the ability to flip themselves back over if turned upside down.
They also have the added benefit of an interesting appearance with the star shape.

My future clean-up crew orders are likely to include them for each of my tanks.

Interesting - I didn't know you could order them. Of course my Harlequin wrasse would kill all of them within 6 hours - but its a thought.