Critter ID?

Joyride · 09-23-2008, 12:32 PM

My son found a new critter on the glass of our tank this morning that I hadn't seen before. It looks kind of like a starfish of some sort, but I'm not sure.

For scale, the critter is about a quarter inch tip to tip. The first pic is from the outside of the tank and of the underside of the critter. The second is from the side of the tank and of the top side of the little guy. He's just to the right of the hermit crab in the photo.

Any ideas are appreciated.

-Chris

**Phurst** · 09-23-2008, 12:48 PM

It's an asternia starfish. People seem about evenly split on these guys. Evidence seems to indicate that most of them are harmless detritivores, but more than a few people have reported them eating softies and zoas in particular. Their populations can also get out of hand if food is abundant.

Just keep a close eye.

**Seahorsedreams** · 09-23-2008, 02:07 PM

I have a million of these in my tanks over the years... I've never witnessed any of them eating coral I still consider them beneficial.

**Phurst** · 09-23-2008, 02:20 PM

I should also add that the few I have in my tank have never been a problem for me either, just reporting what I have heard.

Joyride · 09-23-2008, 03:06 PM

Thanks guys! My son has been bugging me for months to get a starfish for the tank.

Now I don't have to go out and get one.

Pearson, thanks for the heads up, I'll keep an eye out, but am not going to get my panties in a bundle the way I do over aptasia.

-Chris

***lReef lKeeper*** · 09-23-2008, 03:12 PM

i agree ... i ahve never had a problem with them either, and consider them a beneficial part of the CUC.

**CarmieJo** · 09-23-2008, 11:01 PM

I too have them and consider them to be beneficial. The shot from the bottom side is well done.

bbl_nk · 09-23-2008, 11:09 PM

Its always fun to see something new in the tank, until your brain kicks in and asks "is it good or bad?" Then its a quick shot over to TalkingReef and some anxious hours of nailbiting until you get an answer

rayme07 · 09-24-2008, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbl_nk

Its always fun to see something new in the tank, until your brain kicks in and asks "is it good or bad?" Then its a quick shot over to TalkingReef and some anxious hours of nailbiting until you get an answer

haha I agree. lol

Joyride · 09-24-2008, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarmieJo

The shot from the bottom side is well done.

Thanks Carmie. I'm using a Canon Powershot A620 point n shoot camera, and have been pretty impressed with what I've been able to do with it. Someday, I'm hoping to get a digital SLR, but that's probably a ways off.

For the shot, I pretty much just put the camera lens right up against the tank, put the camera in macro mode, and fired. Gotta love the smart cameras.