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FAQs about Asterina
(tiny, white...) Sea Stars, Identification
Related Articles:
Asterina Stars,
An Introduction to the Echinoderms: The Sea Stars, Sea
Urchins, Sea Cucumbers and More... By
James W. Fatherree, M.Sc.
Related FAQs:
Asterinas 1, Asterinas 2, &
Asterina Behavior, Asterina
Compatibility, Asterina Selection,
Asterina Systems, Asterina Feeding,
Asterina Disease, Asterina
Reproduction, &
Sea Stars 1, Sea Stars 2,
Sea Stars 3, Sea Stars 4,
Sea Stars 5, Seastar Selection,
Seastar Compatibility, Seastar Systems,
Seastar Behavior, Seastar
Feeding, Seastar Reproduction,
Seastar Disease, Chocolate
Chip Stars, Crown of Thorns Stars,
Fromia Stars, Linckia Stars,
Linckia Stars 2, Sand-Sifting Stars, | 
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Unknown Starfish ID? 6/1/09
WWM crew,
<Daniel>
I got a couple small frags of Anthelia from a local reef store yesterday,
and this morning when repositioning one of the rocks they're attached to I
found an interesting little hitchhiking sea star I was hoping you could help
me identify. I've attached a picture (sorry it's not too clear, best I could
manage).
<Looks very clear to me.>
The star is about 0.4 inches across, has 7 arms, all fairly symmetrical, the
top of the starfish is red/brown in the center, purple down the top of the
arms, and white along the edges and underneath. I have a small
number of Asterina stars in my tank, but they look quite a bit different to
me than this little creature.
I've got it quarantined in a little floating Tupperware container with a
shell to cling to for the moment. I've very interested whether its likely to
be harmful (I do have a few types of small polyps, some pulsing xenia, a
frogspawn, etc.) or beneficial; and whether it's a 'baby' or full-size for
it's species.
<What you have is an Asterina Starfish. They are very prolific breeders and
soon, there will be many of them. Some species are known to eat corals, so
do observe, and if this occurs, remove the starfish. Other than that, they
are harmless.>
Thanks,
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
-Daniel
|
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Unknown Starfish ID? 6/1/09
Asterina is a pretty big genius,
<They are not that smart.>
which includes a few hundred species,
guess I shouldn't be surprised my 'Asterina-like' star is another species of
Asterina. I know that some of these small Asterinas can be harmful to
corals, particularly the 'vampire' and blue varieties. Are purple & red
Asterinas known to typically be of the beneficial variety, or simply
unknown?
<I really do not know for sure, but in my experience, I'd say more are coral
predators than not. You would have to Google as I would and we just do not
have the time to do this. I suggest reading our FAQ's on Asterina ID
here. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/asterinaidf.htm, and you might want to take
a gander here. http://www.garf.org/Star/starfish.html>
Thanks again,
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)> |
Sea Star ID 1/31/09
Hi!
<Hello>
I'm a biologist
working on asexual sea stars
<Interesting.>
and I'm curious about
the little tan/white hitchhikers so common in aquaria. Specifically, I
am trying to track down where they are coming from as I am convinced
that they are an undescribed species. I have been working with these
animals for 5 years and am fairly certain they belong to the genus
Aquilonastra (its a new genus- 2004), but having gone through the
diagnostic characters for all the species yet described, nothing
matches. I also suspect that there are several undescribed species in
aquaria around the world from examining photographs on-line. New species
from the wild are being described every year.
Obviously they are
hitchhikers on live rock, but my question is where is that live rock
coming from? The Philippines?
Fiji? Tahiti? My local retail supplier
cannot say and will not give me his wholesale supplier's contact
information.
<By your short description, my first guess would be
Asterina stars.
I can tell you what I know about them if that is
indeed what you are tracking down.
Class: Asteroidea
Order:
Spinulosida
Asterina starfish, commonly known as Fiji starfish are
generally dime sized or smaller with a large body, irregular arm length,
and an irregular number of arms. They tend to hide among corals and in
the crevices of the live rock during the day. This type of starfish has
been known to eat coralline algae and some corals; specifically
Acropora, xenia, green star polyps, Zoanthids, and several types of soft
leather corals. These starfish divide across the main body with two or
three legs of varying lengths and multiply rapidly. Fiji is one area
where they are found, Bob may input other areas. Take a look at the
photos in this link for comparison.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/asterinafaqs.htm>
Any help would be most
appreciated!
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)> Re:
Sea Star ID 1/31/09
Thank you James!
<You're welcome.>
I got interested in them as I had a reef tank and got curious. I am now
in the process of publishing several papers on the factors that control
their reproduction.
<Interesting. Do keep us posted.>
I never had
any problems with them eating corals- not even the coralline algae and
they seemed to eat only the diatoms and green algae on the coral
substrate and glass walls of the aquarium.
<I'm sure not all species
eat corals.>
There are about a dozen described species of asexual
Asterina stars from the Indo-Pacific, but none described from East of
Palau/New Guinea. So I'm thinking there are likely many more species out
there.
<Yes.>
If some of these animals are known from Fiji, I
would very much like to get my hands on some but they have to be from a
known location. The animals that I have been using came from the
university aquaria and the local reef tank supplier. I would like to be
able to compare the two stars to see if they are the same. Then at least
I'll know where they come from!
But I would need to be able to talk
with a supplier- and maybe their supplier- to get this information.
Might anyone you know be able to help?
<I'm sure Bob has many
contacts, he may input/help here.>
I really do appreciate the
information you have already shared.
Thank you!
<You're welcome,
and do share your progress with us.
James (Salty Dog)>
Ken
What do you think it is? Asterina star – 10/20/08
Hi
<Hi, Dee>
I have had my tank for only about 8 months. While in
the process of removing an aggressive fish, I noticed what appears
to be a baby starfish. I have attached pic's. I have one Chocolate
Chip Starfish but I have only had him/her for about two weeks. I’m
confused as to what it might be. Let me know what you think.
<It
looks like a fairly common hitchhiker known as an Asterina star
(Family Asterinidae). The species we most commonly see as
hitchhikers are generally harmless/beneficial, stay fairly small
(under 1/2”), and reproduce asexually by means of fission/splitting.
Although there are occasional reports of these stars damaging
corals, they’re usually associated with high density, out of
control, population situations. Again, for the most part these are
harmless, so until/unless you see evidence otherwise, I’d enjoy the
little star! Please see the following link (as well as the
associated links at the top of the page) for more information:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/asterinafaqs.htm >
Thank you
Dee
<You’re very welcome, -Lynn> Re: What do you think it
is? Asterina star – 10/20/08
Thank you and thank you for
the site.
<It’s our/my pleasure, Dee. Take care, -Lynn> |  |
Sand-sifting Starfish… Reproduction… Doubtful… Likely Asterinas
3/12/08
Dear WWM:
<Hi Suzanne, Mich here.>
First of all,
thank you soooo much for the wealth of information that you provide. It
has been invaluable to me.
<To me too! Is how I learned as well.>
My son-in-law got me started on saltwater fish and I have thoroughly
enjoyed it.
<Congrats! Welcome to the club!>
I had a 30-gallon
tank (have since graduated to 75 gal.) and in it I had a Sand-sifting
Starfish among other things. The Star was about 3.5 inches in diameter
and was so much fun as I watched him disappear in the sand and climb the
sides of the aquarium.
<And decimated your sand bed?>
After
about 8 months he started to look thin.
<Starfish generally starve
to death in captivity, sand sifting included.>
I gave him to my
son-in-law and it did better for several months and then wasted away and
died.
<Starved.>
Not long after that he started noticing these
tiny white specks in his tank - hundreds of them. As they grew, we
realized that they were Starfish! Some had five arms, others had three
or four (fish probably were munching on them). Now they are about 3/8
inch in diameter and it looks like someone poured a can of Campbell's
Chicken and Stars soup in the tank!
<Just as likely to be Campbell’s
as baby sand sifting stars.>
When the tank is dark they are all over
the front and sides of the glass. It is incredible. What is more
incredible is that there was only ONE Starfish to start with. How in the
world did that Starfish reproduce??
<It didn't.>
I read all that
you had on Starfish on your site and it talks about mating. There was no
mate to mate with.
<I would be shocked if it wasn't an entirely
different species, likely Asterina by the sounds of it.>
I took six
home and put in my tank. When and if they get bigger I will give the
surviving ones to our LFS and keep only one for my tank.
<Mmm, do
they look like this?
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/asterinafaqs.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/asterinaidf.htm >
What are your thoughts
on this phenomenon?
<I don't think it's a phenomenon.>
What is my
son-in-law to do with all those starfish.
<Mmm, Harlequin shrimp?
Just kidding. I don't recommend to anyone who is not seriously committed
to keeping these beautiful shrimp that only eat live starfish. Please
don't go buy one to combat your starfish issue.>
There are certainly
not enough nutrients in his sand bed for all of them.
<Might be for
Asterinas, they are generally self limiting.>
Should he wait and see
how big they get assuming they may not survive for very long of get them
out of the tank now? That will be no small chore!!
<Lets determine
what is actually in the tank before crossing this bridge.>
Sincerely
Suzanne
<Any chance of getting a picture?
Cheers, Mich>
Sand-sifting Starfish… Reproduction… Doubtful… Likely Asterinas… Is
Asterina 3/13/08
Dear Mich:
<Hi Suzanne!>
Thanks for your response.
<Welcome!>
I have four pictures for
you.
<Excellent! Thanks for capturing some images.>
I would have
liked to have gotten you a view when he (she? it?) was on the glass, but
I haven't seem them on the glass in my tank in about a week.
<No
worries.>
In fact I though they might have died.
<Not necessarily
a bad thing per se. Some folks report some species of Asterina to be
predatory on Zoanthids>
It looks exactly like a miniature sand-sifter
to me and he moves very sloooow like one. I can see why you would
question that. What do you think from the picture? I wasn't familiar
with Asterinas.
<You have Asterina stars.>
Thanks,
Suzanne
<Welcome! Mich> | 
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Micro Brittle Stars? Zoa Woes 2/21/08
Hello,
<Hi Kent, Mich
here.>
I have been having a problem with a colony of Zoanthids. I did
a fresh water dip to remove any pest. I found what I thought was three
(very
small) spiders (also several polyps fell off like they had
been eaten on).
<OK.>
But, after searching to ID the creature I
believe they may be micro brittle stars or some other type of micro
stars. Is it possible to have hundreds of
these "micro stars" living
in your live rock (you can see their legs sticking out of the live
rock)?
<Yes.>
Is it likely that they would be harmful to my
Zoanthids?
<No.>
If not, maybe it some other pest;
<Is
possible.>
but I found nothing else in the water after the dip.
<May not have been on the rock when you did the dip.>
I don't
remember if they had six legs or five.
<Micro brittle stars can have
either, more likely to see 6 legged ones if they reproduced by fission.>
Do all micro stars have five legs?
<No.>
If they have six legs,
are they likely spiders?
<No.>
They do not look like any of the
Zoanthid Eating Spiders that I found on your site or anywhere on the
web.
<A good resource here:
http://www.zoaid.com/index.php?module=Gallery2&g2_itemId=384 >
Thanks,
Kent
<Welcome, Mich>
Is this a starfish? 2/17/08
Our saltwater aquarium is now
about 7 weeks old, I've added hermit crabs and one star polyp to
start.
<Mike I here. Good start - I hope it matures to bring you
years of enjoyment!>
This tiny fellow appeared two days ago, but
I can't find out what it is. It s quite mobile and we are amazed at
the size and how much it moves around on the glass. Obviously I used
a magnifying glass to get this picture. <<Neat technique! RMF>>
<Thanks for the picture, although it was quite large. Do try and
re-size downward next time. Anyhoo, to the pic, and it appears
indeed to be a starfish, of the Asterina variety. Have a read
through this section for more information:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/asterinafaqs.htm Hope that helps, Mike I>
Re: Is this a starfish? Asterina ID f' 2/19/08
Hi Mike
<Marilee>
Wow, that was a quick reply. Thanks so much
for the information, I've followed the link and I'm keeping detailed
records of everything, with the picture it will be fun to see the
changes. Your site was very highly recommended by the store owner in
Hanover, Ontario where I purchased my first additions.
<Good to
hear, I highly recommend this site too!>
With all the question
and answer you post I'm spending a lot of time reading
Thanks for
being there, Marilee
<Reading, research and respect (for the life
we keep), the 3 Rs that will take you far! And thanks for the
thanks! Mike I> | 
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Sea Star ID: Likely Asterinid – 2/2/08
Hi Crew!
<Hi there,
Kirk!>
I found this little hitchhiker on some live rock I recently
acquired.
<Wow, is that ever a pretty little thing!>
I've been
looking all over but can't seem to find anything with this coloration
(purple center, blue ring and purple legs).
<Neither can I, but sea
stars can vary quite a bit in color/pattern.>
It was sheer luck I
even spotted him because he blended right in with the rock and is only
1/4" around right now. Any thoughts on what it might be? Friend or foe?
<Hmmm, well I’m not sure. I discussed this little star earlier with a
fellow crewmember, Brenda. She mentioned right off the bat that it
looked like an Asterina and I agree with her. It looks a lot like
Patiria miniata or Patiriella regularis, but they're cooler water,
temperate species. As far as it being reef safe, asterinids can go
either way. I’d keep an eye on any corals you have. If he stays off of
them, he’s safe, at least for now.>
(sorry the image is a little
fuzzy but I couldn't get the camera to focus very good between the
rocks)
<Can be frustrating, I know!>
I can't even express how much
help your site has been, I've been in the hobby for over 10 years and
feel like I've learned more in the past 1 since I discovered it.
<Thank you so much! I just wish I could have done more to help with this
ID!>
Thanks for all you do!
Kirk Willmann
<You're very
welcome! Take care. -Lynn>
Re: Sea Star ID: Likely Asterinid – 2/2/08
<Hi Captain, I mean
Kirk!>
Ooh! Thanks ladies.
<On behalf of Brenda and myself, you’re
very welcome!>
I was thinking it might be a Fromia at first just
because all the Asterina images I found showed neutral colored specimens
but the body type seems right on the mark.
<Aye, sir.>
After a bit
more searching I came across some brightly colored ones on the web so I
think we may have a winner!
<Yay, we have warp drive!>
I just
really hope it behaves itself because I agree, it is quite attractive
and I would really like to keep it around.
<Most definitely. It’s a
very pretty little tribble, I mean sea star.>
Best regards,
Kirk
<Heeheee, please forgive me for messing with you. I’m a trekkie at heart
and simply don’t run across enough Kirks to get calling them “Captain”
out of my system <G>. Take care. One to beam out –Lynn.>
Re: Sea Star ID: Likely Asterinid – 2/2/08
<Hey, welcome back to
the Bridge, Captain!>
You may call me whatever you wish as long as
you keep answering my starfish questions! ;-)
<Heeheeee! Anytime –
just let me know. You’ll notice that I at least waited until the second
email to say anything. At that point, I just couldn’t hold it back any
longer! <G>>
I need more power Scotty!
<Aye sir, we’ll be working
on it!>
Capt. Kirk
<Take care Capt., and have a great Superbowl
Sunday! –Lynn> | 
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Starfish Identification: Cushion star? - 12/31/07
Hi Bob and Crew
<Hi Claire. I sincerely apologize for the delay in responding!>
Got
this lovely starfish as a hitchhiker, but don't know what species it is,
or if it is coral friendly - any ideas??
<It is indeed a lovely
little sea star! Unfortunately, after going through every resource at
hand, I’m stumped as to what species it is. It could be a juvenile that
looks very different from its mature counterpart, or simply a species
that hasn’t been photographed/identified in my sources. It does look a
bit like a Cushion/Biscuit star, however, so I’d keep an eye on it and
your corals.>
Thanks
Claire
<You’re very welcome! I just wish
I could have been more help! –Lynn>
<<Mmm, maybe an Asterina
sp.... A. phylactica?
http://www.asturnatura.com/photo/photogallery/galerias.php?photo_id=583
RMF>>Re: Starfish
identification – 1/2/08
<<Mmm, maybe an Asterina sp.... A.
phylactica?
http://www.asturnatura.com/photo/photogallery/galerias.php?photo_id=583
RMF>>
<Thanks, Bob! I spent way too long yesterday looking for that
little guy. I finally found something that looked about right, but it
was a photo at a dead link. Talk about frustrating! I wasn't happy with
the general answer I gave, but thought I'd exhausted all possible
sources in the search. Well, I got up this morning with that little star
still on my mind, so I cued up Bob Marley, and did a little more
digging. This time I found the current link for that photo. I'm not sure
if what's shown is the same star, but the similarities are promising.
They have the same general coloring, same markings between the arms, and
what looks like at least a partial ring on some. It's hard to believe
all those are the same species, but I guess they vary quite a bit.
Here's the link:
http://www.bluering.org.au/chpt17b.htm . What do you think? -Lynn>
>Does look like Tosia australis...
RMF< | 
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Re: Mystery Starfish
A friend of mine has a 55g F/LR/SC tank that
is a real pleasure to watch. His tank has a number of different mushroom
anemones, Xeniids, Zoanthids and things I've forgotten their names. No
hard corals - not enough light. The place is just a little crowded along
those line and I haven't mentioned the fish (though the Pseudochromis
will eat out of his wife's hand.)
Very recently we discovered that he
has several "volunteer" starfish, origin and specie unknown. The largest
of these has reached about 1 cm across. Attached is a jpg of the fellow
slowly crawling across one of the pieces of live rock. As you can see,
despite my poor photography, these asteroids have five arms and a rather
significant margin. They are almost reminiscent of a "sand dollar",
except that the arm spines are raised and pronounced. The obvious
questions are, what is the species and should my friend be scavenging
these out? Are they, as I suspect, a danger to their more sedentary tank
mates?
<Asterina sp. Not an uncommon LR "recruit". Please see here
re:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/seastarf.htm
and the related FAQs
(linked, in blue, at top).
Bob Fenner>
Regards,
Charlie H. | 
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Little Dingy White/light brown starfish
What are the little (1/4
inch) brown starfish that are so abundant in my 180 gal reef tank?
<likely you have an Asterina species. Do use this name to do a 'Net
search for photos to confirm. They are prolific and actually useful for
eating diatoms (algae). Some people culture these to feed the
magnificent Harlequin shrimp which can live well and breed in captivity
if provided a natural diet of sea star tube feet. As you have noticed,
they can reach plague proportions. Some say they can eat coral... this
is very rare. Aside form being prolific, they are quite useful. SPS
keepers just like to use them as an excuse for why their corals are
dying ;) These sea stars are merely scavenging the necrotic tissue of an
already dying/infected coral. Best regards, Anthony> Teeny Sea
Stars
I have a question about some teeny starfish I recently
acquired-- they are about 4 millimeters across, most are missing limbs
and I have been told they only get to the size of a dime and multiply
like crazy. I have been trying to find out their species and nature...we
have a brand new reef tank, 7 weeks old. Thanks for your help, Lizzi
<I would agree with all of the above. Look up Asterina species here in
our WetWebMedia.com archives and beyond. Any references you see about
them eating coral are mostly bunk in my opinion. Very rare. They are
only a nuisance for fast propagation. Great algae eaters and little harm
else wise. Best regards, Anthony>
Starfish ID 8/23/05
Hi There:
<G'morning>
Just a
quick question in hopes you can identify (photo attached) what is
growing in my tank. We assume that they are baby starfish (there
are about 5 that we've seen), but not knowing for sure is driving us
crazy.
Also, just for your enjoyment, attached is a photo of
one of our starfish's arms growing a new starfish. That is sooo
cool!
Thanks!
D. Kelley
<Very nice. Thank you for
sending it along. Likely a species of Asterina... Please see here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/asterinafaqs.htm
Bob Fenner> |  
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Starfish? 30 Jun 2005
I have just recently started a SW
tank. I had put in one piece of live rock in a week ago. Today I noticed
this grey thing with seven arms (I think). Is this a starfish and do I
have to worry about it? what does it eat? Thanks <Hi Julie. Looking at
the picture, it appears to be a hitchhiking Asterina starfish. They are
generally harmless algae eaters although some do eat corals. Do a search
for "Asterina" or see this URL
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/asterinafaqs.htm . Good luck on your new
setup and keep us posted on the progress. Cheers - Ted>
Sorry I
forgot to add a pic of the starfish thingy.
<Looks like an Asterina
starfish. Generally harmless. You may
find this URL helpful:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/asterinafaqs.htm Cheers - Ted> | 
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Sea star ID
Hello,
In my reef tank I have found a tiny sea
star which I have been looking up in the web but I have seen no pics at
all, the more similar pic was one of a Asterina sp but from the bottom.
<Very common>
Unfortunately I have no pic of it but hopefully with
the description it would be fine. The animal has no more than 2cm width,
from top is of a blue greyish colour with a red/orange ring around the
madreporic plate, it has 5 or 6 legs depending on the reproductive
stage, which is very often. And I have tens of it. Any idea which
species is?
<... some Asterina species fit this description
closely... Please see the Google Pix here:
http://images.google.com/images?q=asterina&hl=en&lr=&sa=N&tab=wi>
By the way I have white tiny sponges that I have seen pics of them in
the web any idea about the name?
<Nope>
Hope you could help me,
as soon as I get pics I will send them to you
Lots of thanks
<Even photos make it hard to discern these groups of animals to much
more than family level... even for experts in their fields (of which I
am not)... Require microscopic examination, sacrificing (taking apart).
Bob Fenner>
Archaster Babies?....Or Asterina? (11/1/04)
Believe it or not, MORE Archaster craziness! Anthony, you are a patient
man for answering all my questions. Bless you indeed! :) <I will pass
this on. Steve Allen responding since Anthony is out.> To add to the
insanity, one of the Archaster's had BABIES. I've got a few, literally,
the size of an eraser head. I tried to take a picture, but it was
incredibly difficult as it was far back in the tank, glass distortion,
very small, etc. So everything around it looks HUGE.
Here's the pic:
http://65.124.75.190/babystarfish.jpg
I'm not really sure how
many I have as only two were visible, now only one. Hopefully some of
these guys will survive and won't suffer from predators so I can pass
them on. :) <Looked at the picture. Sorry to rain on the parade, but I
doubt that this is a baby Archaster. Looks more like an Asterina to me.
These common hitchhiker mini stars seldom exceed 1 cm in diameter. Look
at some pix on our site and elsewhere to compare and be more certain.>
Re: Asterina 9/6/06
Dear Bob,
<Derek>
Thanks so
much for the info. These little starfish seem to be multiplying
fast... I found another just after receiving your reply with the ID
suggestion. So I now have a 3 legged, 4 legged, and this 6 legged
one (the largest of them so far). I've attached a photo to help ID,
and in case it might be useful for your FAQ section; it came out
fairly clear, given the small size of the starfish.
Is this an
Asterina?
<Does appear so to me>
If so I presume they'll be
fine just chewing on the algae in the tank... will they?
<Likely
so>
From the pictures I found on your FAQs I'm sure the lesser
limbed ones are Asterina (I've only ever seen the lesser limbed ones
from below (as they stick on the front glass) and they match one
ID'd in your FAQ).
<Do come in a variety of leggi-ness>
Also, on another subject... Some signs in my tank of other possible
hitchhikers - Clicking noises (single not rapid clicks) mainly after
lights out and holes appearing in most of the loose shells on the
sand... Mantis Shrimp? Pistol Shrimp?
<Possibly>
FYI I have
a sensibly stocked 150litre tank, 1 Maroon Clown, 1 Splendid Leopard
Wrasse (which I'm happy to say will even eat granules now!), 1 Boxer
shrimp (Cleaner-Shrimp murderer!),
<Ahh, yes>
1 red
Starfish, and the usual hermits and snails. BTW, I don't know what
the red starfish is, but I got one of its legs in the attached
picture so if you've any ideas?
<Mmm, no>
I don't directly
feed it (tried but it refused), it's lived happily in there for a
few months; it's very active and seems to just graze algae. I
realize one leg isn't much to go on ;) So if it's no use I will get
another picture sent another time.
Love the site!
Many
thanks again.
Regards,
Derek
<Again, very welcome. Bob
Fenner> | 
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Methinks its a Limpet (but not sure)... Methinks it's Hard to ID Without
Photos! 6/9/07
Greetings to all!
<And a hardy hello to
you Anthony, Mich here.>
I recently bought a decent sized piece of
liverock that currently has 12 mushrooms (all purple colored, ranging
from dime-sized to half-dollar), and one Ricordea floridae about the
size of a silver dollar. The first night I was checking for hitchhikers,
and found at least 2 serpent stars (really small),
<Likely Mini
Serpent stars (Amphipholis) or Striped Micro Brittle stars (Ophiactis)
both beneficial scavengers, which will hopefully reproduce in your
system.>
another starfish (its white with very pale brown markings,
5 legs).
<Perhaps an Asterina star.>
And what I know is
definitely a gastropod of some sort..
<OK.>
an ID of the mystery
starfish would be greatly appreciated, as well as if it’s bad or
beneficial to the aquarium.
<Umm, how? No pics, minimal
descriptions, and I'm still standing here waiting to be beamed up to see
your tank there Scottie!>
Also, I would like an ID of this snail like
creature... I can give a lot better description of him!
<Well, give
me something to work with!>
it has a flat/domed shell on top, but the
shell looks more like a clam shell (asymmetrical). It also has a
pearlescent shimmer to it. The animal itself is odd though. For one, it
seems like its too big for the shell (about twice as big as the shell,
or maybe even bigger), and for a snail, it moves FAST! It has 2 long
antennae coming out of the front, and what seems to be 6 other, smaller
ones running along the side (3 on each side) of the animal.
<Sounds
like (I almost feel like I'm playing Charades here...) a Stomatella
snail to me... a welcome addition to your tank. Reproduces readily in
captivity and an excellent member of the clean up crew. A couple of
photos on this page: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/snailid9.htm >
Since
I can only find both of these animals at night, I can't get a picture.
<Uh huh... sure... because it's dark... that why there's no photos... I
think your just trying to challenge me...>
But should I pull them out
of the aquarium, or are they safe for my current and future inhabitants
(I plan on having more mushrooms, polyps, zoas, and some LPS).
<They
are likely safe, if not outright beneficial.>
I don't think the
starfish is Asterina, because all of the Asterina I’ve ever seen have 7
legs, and half of those legs look as if they've broken off and are
regrowing.
<I've seen Asterinas with 2 legs, 3 legs, 4 legs...
Here's a pic of one I took at IMAC with 8 legs! You can see the 3 old
legs and the 5 new. OK, I guess I'm not able to attach it you this
email, perhaps it will be posted on the daily FAQ's.>
Also, would
you have any pics that resemble what I’ve described, so I can compare?
<Anthony... allow me to introduce you to Google Images...
http://images.google.com
...Google images...Anthony. There you've
met, now become friends! Hee!>
Thanks a ton!
<Welcome! Mich>
Anthony Cagle
<Please for future reference it is: "I" not "i"> |
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