Strange Organism

[DeccerZ]

Hi everyone! I'm looking after a friends aquarium at the moment, and I've found a strange organism crawling on the glass of the aquarium. I've attached a picture, the quality isn't great but if anyone knows what it is i'd be greatly appreciative! Thanks

 

[twilliard]

Asterina starfish (snails)

 

[DeccerZ]

Okay thank you! Are they an okay thing to have in there? They aren't going to harm the system in any way in other words?

 

[7FootReefer]

From my understanding there are a few different types of asterina starfish, but most of them are fairly harmless. They tend to eat coralline algae (the purple encrusting algae on rocks) they can get out of hand but for the most part are not a threat, and shouldn't be a huge concern. They pose no immediate threat to the tank.

 

[McMullen]

^ +1

 

[AdamPhe]

They are funny to watch in my tank. They always fall off the glass and my clown loves to to stare them down. I have a few. They seem to be cool. I have heard some may make corals mad but mine stick to the glass

 

[swat2]

The white ones are harmless , but the ones with the black stripes munch on zoas.

 

[Reef_Chief]

they're part of your tanks natural clean up crew, just keep an eye on their population, they can become unsightly if they boom out of control in the future