HELP WHAT IS THIS.....

Kev The Fish Keeper · Jun 19, 2020

Hello all,

I just started cycling my tank a few days ago. I have 40lbs of dry sand, 30lbs of live rock from LFS and 20lbs or Marco dry rock. Can someone tell me what this is? My LFS assured me the live rock had no critters. HELP....

Fishbro · Jun 19, 2020

Starfish?

scottkoji · Jun 19, 2020

Hard to say for sure but it looks like an asterina to me. Can become an infestation somewhat quickly. As far as I know, live rock almost always has critters that come with it - its one of the things that make it "live". Harlequin shrimp would help when you're ready but if you don't see a lot of them, you might be able to just pull it out.

Kev The Fish Keeper · Jun 19, 2020

Fishbro said:
Starfish?

That's what it looks like, but Im not sure. If so what should I do with it?

KJ · Jun 19, 2020

Kev The Fish Keeper said:
If so what should I do with it?

Pull it out.

Fishbro · Jun 19, 2020

Yeah looks like an asterina. You don’t have to pull it out they are a decent cuc but chances are it will overpopulate your tank.

ReeferWarrant · Jun 19, 2020

Yeah, if you plan on having Zoanthids I'd remove it. I left them in my tank for a while and recently found one sucking the life out of my Zoa colony. Instant eviction notice for those suckers.

ReeferWarrant · Jun 19, 2020

I would also go back to the LFS and show them that they are liars.... haha

Kev The Fish Keeper · Jun 19, 2020

Fishbro said:
Yeah looks like an asterina. You don’t have to pull it out they are a decent cuc but chances are it will overpopulate your tank.

I plan on keeping some zoes, so it gots to go...lol

Kev The Fish Keeper · Jun 19, 2020

ReeferWarrant said:
Yeah, if you plan on having Zoanthids I'd remove it. I left them in my tank for a while and recently found one sucking the life out of my Zoa colony. Instant eviction notice for those suckers.

I do so it had to go....

Kev The Fish Keeper · Jun 19, 2020

ReeferWarrant said:
I would also go back to the LFS and show them that they are liars.... haha

Lol

vetteguy53081 · Jun 19, 2020

Asterina star and Not welcomed in any of my tanks. They'll eat zoas

IKD · Jun 19, 2020

Asterina starfish. Some are safe, others are not.

ahiggins · Jun 19, 2020

scottkoji said:
Hard to say for sure but it looks like an asterina to me. Can become an infestation somewhat quickly. As far as I know, live rock almost always has critters that come with it - its one of the things that make it "live". Harlequin shrimp would help when you're ready but if you don't see a lot of them, you might be able to just pull it out.

If you plan on keeping polyped things, start pulling.
I have a hard time adding anything that I would have to dismember starfish for once it runs out of “natural food”