Live rock hitch hiker ID help plz

[JK2]

Hi there!

I am just preparing to set up a new tank so went to grab a live rock from lfs.

On closer insepction, I am starting to see a few interesring creatures.

Could someone help id and let me know if they are good or bad?

Cheers!!

Please refer to pic 1, 2 and 3.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Hi. Welcome to the hobby! Can you ask your LFS about the hitchhikers? Likely they will be able to tell you precisely since the rock was in their care...
Or was it from a shipment of aquacultured rock that just came in?

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Picture 1 looks like a black sponge to me.
Picture 2 looks like a Linckia multifora.
Picture 3 looks like some kind of crinoid (feather star) - possibly of the genus Antedon.

All three should be fine in a reef tank.

If the sponge grows too much, you can trim it back.

The Linckia will probably starve, but you might be able to help it along with some sponges or Aquilonastra stars (known in the hobby as Asterina stars - some people swear by these as the reason they're able to keep Linckia stars alive for a decent length of time, which makes sense based on what little we know of the Linckia diet; I know Linckia laevigata for sure eats them, and, supposedly, Linckia laevigata is just an ecophenotype of Linckia multifora [genetically, it is thought to be the same species, it just looks different because of where they both typically live in the ocean], so your star there should eat them too). This is not guaranteed to help, and - as I mentioned - it'll probably starve, but it's worth a shot. These guys are thought to eat biofilms, so they're generally recommended for tanks of at least 70 gallons (~265 liters), but even at those sizes there's no guarantee they'll live for a long time.

The crinoid is a suspension filter feeder - you'll need to feed it/your tank things like various types of phytoplankton, pod nauplii (baby pods - adult pods will likely be too large), S-Strain Rotifers (Brachionus rotundiformis), or various tiny sized foods (TDO Chromaboost Type A, for example). It'll feed on any appropriately sized detritus that may be blown it's way too. These guys are known for being difficult to keep, as they (like other filter feeders) need fed pretty much constantly, and supplying that much tiny food consistently throughout the day can be a challenge.

Overall, very neat finds, but not the easiest to keep.

 

[JK2]

Picture 1 looks like a black sponge to me.
Picture 2 looks like a Linckia multifora.
Picture 3 looks like some kind of crinoid (feather star) - possibly of the genus Antedon.

All three should be fine in a reef tank.

If the sponge grows too much, you can trim it back.

The Linckia will probably starve, but you might be able to help it along with some sponges or Aquilonastra stars (known in the hobby as Asterina stars - some people swear by these as the reason they're able to keep Linckia stars alive for a decent length of time, which makes sense based on what little we know of the Linckia diet; I know Linckia laevigata for sure eats them, and, supposedly, Linckia laevigata is just an ecophenotype of Linckia multifora [genetically, it is thought to be the same species, it just looks different because of where they both typically live in the ocean], so your star there should eat them too). This is not guaranteed to help, and - as I mentioned - it'll probably starve, but it's worth a shot. These guys are thought to eat biofilms, so they're generally recommended for tanks of at least 70 gallons (~265 liters), but even at those sizes there's no guarantee they'll live for a long time.

The crinoid is a suspension filter feeder - you'll need to feed it/your tank things like various types of phytoplankton, pod nauplii (baby pods - adult pods will likely be too large), S-Strain Rotifers (Brachionus rotundiformis), or various tiny sized foods (TDO Chromaboost Type A, for example). It'll feed on any appropriately sized detritus that may be blown it's way too. These guys are known for being difficult to keep, as they (like other filter feeders) need fed pretty much constantly, and supplying that much tiny food consistently throughout the day can be a challenge.

Overall, very neat finds, but not the easiest to keep.

You are a legend. Thanks heaps for that really appreciate it. Yeh I am keeping the live rock in a separate tank for some time before putting in 40g tank to start the cycle. And these guys show up and I had 0 clue. Anyways I will see what I can do. I have phyto culture but only one kind.

Again what a champ the lfs only suggested vague ideas about them but not a spot on id as you did