PEST IDENTIFICATION

[Reefing102begal]

Hey I’ve had this Zoa rock colony for about 8 months now it’s always had some pest on it but when I shined my red light at night and saw how bad it was I decided to put it through a dip today and the different zoas off the plate rock it was glued to.
Can anyone help me identify these pest?

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Those look like micro brittle stars to me - if so, most brittle stars are harmless/beneficial CUC.

 

[bushdoc]

As reefer above said, additionally they feed on detritus, decaying matter. There might’ve been something going on with your zoas already and those critters are not the culprit.

 

[Reefing102begal]

As reefer above said, additionally they feed on detritus, decaying matter. There might’ve been something going on with your zoas already and those critters are not the culprit.

Wow so I guess I didn’t have to take that rock apart lol.
Thank you guys for the help that gives me peace of mind

 

[Tired]

Yep, those are micro brittle stars. They'll feed on dying and dead corals, but they won't kill anything.

 

[Cthulukelele]

People will actively buy those honestly. Great CUC and interesting to watch

 

[TnFishwater98]

People will actively buy those honestly. Great CUC and interesting to watch

IMO, the best CUC

 

[Cthulukelele]

IMO, the best CUC

I've found if you get lucky with hitchhiker cuc it's hard to beat. The hitchhiker limpets in my old setup are to date the best algae control option I've ever had in a reef constantly spawning to meet algae availability