Hitchhiker

Brandon42 · Feb 22, 2016

so I bought some like rock from my LFS it's a very reputable place. Yesterday I noticed a star looking thing on the rock that I didn't think had been there before. Didn't think much of it at the time but upon looking at my tank this morning it has moved its position on the rock. I tried to get some pictures of it but there not the best. I will attach and try and get a better one. Any idea as to what this might be?

tqui · Feb 22, 2016

looks like asterina star... some say are homeless, some consider them as pest.

Brandon42 · Feb 22, 2016

Brandon42 · Feb 22, 2016

tqui said:
looks like asterina star... some say are homeless, some consider them as pest.

i think you are right. googled it and that is exactly what it looks like

Brandon42 · Feb 22, 2016

there is only 1 do i remove it?

SteveSTL · Feb 22, 2016

I've never had a problem with them and one of the local fish stores has hundreds of them in one of their tanks.

Brandon42 · Feb 22, 2016

what does [HASHTAG]#reefsquad[/HASHTAG] think?

Humblefish · Feb 22, 2016

If its an asterina star (can't be 100% sure from the pic), those are harmless. If they ever become too many down the road, a Harlequin Shrimp will wipe them out in short order.

chumleetm · Feb 22, 2016

I have several in mine most are harmless some will bother corals. If you like it let it be just keep an eye on it.

Brandon42 · Feb 22, 2016

im 90% sure it is a asterina star i looked at pictures online and thats my best guess. wish i would have gotten a picture when i noticed yesterday because it was in a much better spot for photos but its got to be that.

Brandon42 · Feb 22, 2016

are there any pest that may resemble this?

Diesel · Feb 22, 2016

Did it move at all from the spot?
Looks like there is a cave on the left side of it....
If you touch it what does it do?

Brandon42 · Feb 22, 2016

Diesel said:
Did it move at all from the spot?
Looks like there is a cave on the left side of it....
If you touch it what does it do?

well i havent tried touching it but working in my sump i sorta kicked up a dust storm and when i looked up it had moved pretty much under the rock it was sitting on before.

Brandon42 · Feb 22, 2016

so i would say it moved a quarter inch in the past 20 minutes

Brandon42 · Feb 22, 2016

He came back out of hiding.

saltyfilmfolks · Feb 22, 2016

its an asterina

cnseekatz · Feb 22, 2016

Very contested critter there. Commentary ranges from, "they're harmless detrivores" to "they eat zoanthids... burn with fire."

I've never noticed any in my tank personally, but you should keep an eye out for any odd changes in the health of your zoos... just in case.

saltyfilmfolks · Feb 22, 2016

cnseekatz said:
Very contested critter there. Commentary ranges from, "they're harmless detrivores" to "they eat zoanthids... burn with fire."

I've never noticed any in my tank personally, but you should keep an eye out for any odd changes in the health of your zoos... just in case.

my theory is if theres not enough food yea they eat coral. I have the dreaded ones but they dont eat my coral. they do eat my corraline. jerks.

Brandon42 · Feb 22, 2016

well i have no coral yet lol i believe there is only the one. caught a ride with the live rock i got the other day. but i have notcied some of the coraline that came on the rock turning white

saltyfilmfolks · Feb 22, 2016

Brandon42 said:
well i have no coral yet lol i believe there is only the one. caught a ride with the live rock i got the other day. but i have notcied some of the coraline that came on the rock turning white

could be him or could be air exposure. if you just started up toss him. one less question you'll have to face. imo
And I have A LOT OF BUGS. love em too.