Please ID and is it good

[1sttymereefer]

Just noticed this star fish like thing, my tank has been running for around 4months now(after cycle) I'm new to the hobby. Any information would be greatly appreciated thanks

 

[Crabs McJones]

Asterina starfish. I would pull it. They're not "bad" per say, but can multiply very very quickly

 

[Act1n1c_L1fe]

Asterina starfish. I would pull it. They're not "bad" per say, but can multiply very very quickly

I agree. They aren’t harmful by themselves but can become a plague and will eat anything when their food source is gone

 

[1sttymereefer]

How do they get in the tank?

 

[Crabs McJones]

How do they get in the tank?

Usually hitchhike in on live rock or frag plugs

 

[Act1n1c_L1fe]

Usually hitchhike in on live rock or frag plugs

+1

 

[Act1n1c_L1fe]

Here’s one that I found. He didn’t get to stay long... haven’t seen one since

 

[rkpetersen]

If they do happen to get out of control and there are too many to just remove manually, a Harlequin Shrimp or two can make them vanish quickly.
Harlequins will also eat most other stars in your tank, though, even pricey ones intentionally added.

 

[1sttymereefer]

Well tried grabbing him and he landed in the sand and now cant find him, hopefully he will come back up on the glass, opps

 

[Act1n1c_L1fe]

Well tried grabbing him and he landed in the sand and now cant find him, hopefully he will come back up on the glass, opps

You’ll see him again. Check with a flashlight after the lights go out... that’s usually when the creatures can be found...

 

[rkpetersen]

Well tried grabbing him and he landed in the sand and now cant find him, hopefully he will come back up on the glass, opps

I use a tweezers/forceps.

 

[saltyhog]

Much easier to remove with forceps as @rkpetersen said.

I haven't been removing them for a year or so and have had no problems from them. Their numbers fluctuate with available food. I think they have some value as part of the clean up crew. However, since I added a tang and a much larger cleanup crew I seldom see any in my tank now.