Sea Star

[MikeyZO]

I found this stuck in the chaeto in my fuge. I had noticed something similar sticking out of the LR in a few places but just assumed they were bristle worms. To my surprise, there are a bunch of baby sea stars in my fuge. Now the question is, what kind are they, and are they reef safe just in case they escape to my DT. Far as I can tell it's either a serpent star or a brittle star... the central disc is a dark reddish brown, and the legs are banded with a reddish brown and greenish color. Oh, and it moves rather fast (which is why when I saw the legs sticking out of the LR I assumed they were bristle worms... I didnt think stars moved that fast).

 

[Lenny718]

I think your right, it looks like a serpent star or a brittle star.

 

[MikeyZO]

What is the difference between the two? And are either/or reef safe?

 

[Lenny718]

After looking again I would say its a serpent star and if it is its reef safe. Very cool btw

 

[MikeyZO]

what if its a brittle star? Are they not reef safe? In either case, should I be worried if it escapes into my DT? Normally I dont think it would be able to but I have a HOB fuge, and if it gets over the high baffle its clear sailing into the tank.

 

[Lenny718]

Brittle stars are reef safe also

 

[Josh]

Its a brittle star, very good for your tank.

 

[Triple R]

but it has 6 arms?

 

[KathyC]

but it has 6 arms?

Not unusual with starfish :starfish:

Mikey..I have hundreds of them in my tanks, if you find more, they may be of different mixes of colors. Some are totally white, some like yours, others brown & black. Very cool little creatures. They'd be fine in your DT too.
When they're happy they all gather in the same place in the tank and spawn while waving their arms. Interesting to observe. Definitely cool little creatures

Oh..and size wise, they max out at around a quarter-ish in size. I'll see if I can get some pics of them with some baby ones when I change out my power heads again.

 

[muntai]

its a micro brittle star. very common in live rocks. they dont get that big. most as big as a quarter. serpent star doesnt have tiny feeler all over its legs, just the bottom half. both r reef safe.
micro serpent star r not as common. in fact, i dont know if they get that small.

 

[MikeyZO]

Ah so these are a micro or mini kind, not a normal brittle/serpant that will get 1' long?
I was worried a bit cuz you hear stories and mixed reviews of normal sized brittles and serpants
hunting fish at full size.