Weird creature on glass.

[TheShrimpNibbler]

Can anyone tell me what this thing on the glass is? They have recently started popping up on the walls. They are a pinkish color and have things that look like strings coming out of them. From what I have seen, they don’t move, but I haven’t watched for a long period of time to know for sure.

 

[glb]

Those could be asterina starfish, but I've never seen pink ones before. Some people say they're harmless, but others think they're a menace. I always take them out when i see them, because they reproduce and you probably have more than you can see. I hope others chime in. Good Luck!

 

[NYCMikeM3]

Looks like Asterina starfish. I've never had them in my tank, but i've heard them called beneficial and pests. Here's an article w/more pictures if it helps you confirm ID https://reefbuilders.com/2016/03/30...duction-to-this-common-reef-aquarium-critter/

 

[Fishy212]

Okay for now. The Population of the starfish will depend on detritus levels in your tank. I keep them, I don’t like to get rid of organisms that can be beneficial to the tank.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Asterina and not welcome in my tanks. I remove by hand or net them to the toilet.
While some eat algae, others can destroy zoas and other specimens

 

[Hemmdog]

Get them out before you have a million.

 

[Daddy-o]

Dont look like Asterina to these old eyes

 

[Tahoe61]

Any chance you can clean the glass and get another more focused image. Please.

 

[TheShrimpNibbler]

They don’t look like asterinas in persons. They are much smaller, only a couple millimeters across, and they have not moved at all. My tank has also been set up for over a year and I haven’t added anything but fish in quite a long time, but they haven’t appeared till recently. I’m also not sure what the strings would’ve if they were asterinas. They are a little smaller than spirorbis worms if that helps. I will try to get better photos, but I’m using a phone camera.