Possible pest?!

[robjrussell]

Hey all - so I notice these worms?? on a small blue hornet frag I’ve had for a few weeks. I don’t have much experience with Zoa pests so I thought I’d come here.

All of my other zoas doing well and the hornets don’t seem bothered either (yet).

Tbh it looks like a mini brittle but I can’t see a body or other “legs” that would have me worry less.

Help please?!!

 

[Jus]

Hey all - so I notice these worms?? on a small blue hornet frag I’ve had for a few weeks. I don’t have much experience with Zoa pests so I thought I’d come here.

All of my other zoas doing well and the hornets don’t seem bothered either (yet).

Tbh it looks like a mini brittle but I can’t see a body or other “legs” that would have me worry less.

Help please?!!

Bristle worms maybe

Hey all - so I notice these worms?? on a small blue hornet frag I’ve had for a few weeks. I don’t have much experience with Zoa pests so I thought I’d come here.

All of my other zoas doing well and the hornets don’t seem bothered either (yet).

Tbh it looks like a mini brittle but I can’t see a body or other “legs” that would have me worry less.

Help please?!!

only legs on one side? Kinda looks like bristle worms

 

[marioensf]

Mini brittle star.

 

[Fishy_mcfish]

Not a bristle worm, it’s a brittle star. They are harmless

 

[divewsharks]

While it is harmless (and beneficial). Just curious, did you dip the coral before adding? They rarely survive a dip.

 

[littlebigreef]

Hey Rob, others are correct that its a bristle star and I wouldn't worry about it. However, if you see asterina starfish start to pop up I would absolutely pluck them out.

 

[robjrussell]

Hey Rob, others are correct that its a bristle star and I wouldn't worry about it. However, if you see asterina starfish start to pop up I would absolutely pluck them out.

Hey Jay.

I definitely thought it was a brittle looking at the stripes on its legs. Just got nervous since I couldn’t see the rest of his body.

Cheers

 

[VSVP bet]

100% brittle starfish. They reproduce in the aquarium. What youre seeing is its arm reaching out to catch food.

They look like this, and live in notches in rocks, under frag plugs, etc. They are my favorite hitch hikers and are 100% harmless.

 

[Softhammer]

They like to hide their bodies and “go fishing” for food with their legs out. You are good to go !