Starfish

[Lrdtny]

I have recently set up a reef tank. I had introduced only 1 piece of live rock that I bought from maidenhead aquatics. Everything else in the tank was not live until I cycled the tank. I've had a clean up crew in for a couple of weeks and introduced a couple of clowns last week. Last night after my lights had gone out this fella came out of a shell. This shell has been in my bathroom for 15 years so there is no way he hand arrived in that. Can anyone tell me how he got in my tank and what type of starfish it is. I only have the one pic.

 

[brmreefer]

It appears to be a type of linckia starfish, but can't fully confirm that. Wait for a few others to concur.

 

[malacoda]

If that piece of live rock from Maidenhead Aquatics was wet and cycled (e.g. that's an LFS and it came out of one of their saltwater holding tanks and went straight into your tank) ... and no other wet rock, sand, or coral frags have gone into your tank, then that piece of rock is the only possible place it could've come from.

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

On the other hand... What the poop??? Talk about a hitchhiker!! Linka are sadly poor aquarium residents that will die quickly on you. Not sure how it survived given that being exposed to air can kill them. Cool find though.

 

[Lrdtny]

If that piece of live rock from Maidenhead Aquatics was wet and cycled (e.g. that's an LFS and it came out of one of their saltwater holding tanks and went straight into your tank) ... and no other wet rock, sand, or coral frags have gone into your tank, then that piece of rock is the only possible place it could've come from.

Thanks guys

 

[malacoda]

Cool little hitchhiker, btw. Hopefully it'll survive and do well for you.

 

[Lrdtny]

Cool little hitchhiker, btw. Hopefully it'll survive and do well for you.

Yes it is. I've not seen him since. I'm just hoping he hasn't gobs back into the conch and died. I'm sure I'll know if my ammonia levels rise. Hopefully he's still alive and just roaming around after the lights dim out.

 

[Lrdtny]

Well last night he reappeared.

 

[hds4216]

He's very pretty!

 

[Lrdtny]

He's very pretty!

He's lovely.

 

[James M]

I would be careful with that shell. House ornaments have chemicals on them that can leach out into the tank and harm your livestock

 

[Lrdtny]

I would be careful with that shell. House ornaments have chemicals on them that can leach out into the tank and harm your livestock

Its fine. Myself and my gf got these shells whilst scuba diving in Bermuda. They've never even had polish on them. Only wiped over with a damp cloth.

 

[SaltISlife]

Id be more worried about nothing for that star fish to eat in your bare nee tank. Thry generally need very mature tanks

 

[Lrdtny]

Well my hitchhiker is still doing well. Don't see much of him as he only comes out at night. Also found a little pom pom crab that must of arrived on the same piece of rock.

 

[MohrReefs]

Well my hitchhiker is still doing well. Don't see much of him as he only comes out at night. Also found a little pom pom crab that must of arrived on the same piece of rock.

Thats super cool its surviving for you. Congrats