Mini cripple star

[Anonymous]

I just got a shot of this little guy, he has been in my tank like this for a long time, but I only usually see him on the glass at night.

Think he will live??

I think I might have a blue leg hermit that is not really a hermit, cause there are several things that have gotten chomped

Btw photo taken with Canon G3 with a Close up lens

Actual star is smaller than a dime in diameter, even if he had all his legs

Bryan

 

[GSchiemer]

This is a normal Asterina sea star. They reproduce by dropping arms, so the offspring often have unequal arm lengths.

Greg

 

[taikonaut]

The pic is so similar to an ultra secret stealth bomber Boeing is working on that you need to be careful about posting it again!

Seriously, as GS said, it is an usual starfish in reef tank.

 

[fuzed]

The only issue with these guys is that they can get to plague proportions, and at times they will and can eat softies... if youve only got one then just keep an eye on them... the ones I found I put in the refuge.

 

[taikonaut]

I never have the star preying on any coral, and they don't reproduct uncontrollably, unless you have more food (algae, and other micros) than they can eat... but then, you will have other nutrient issue if you do.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info guys, do you mean that they will drop off an arm and a whole new starfish will grow out of it???

I so wish I could do that!

Bryan

 

[taikonaut]

>.. I so wish I could do that!

Umm...thers may have issue with that

Actually, it is not an arm per se, but one or more arm with some of the middle portion too.

 

[Anonymous]

I got quite a few of these little guys in my tank.I saw one the other day hitching a ride on a snail,that was really cool to watch.I hav'nt seen them do any harm to anything but they seem to be multiplying rather quickly. Check this out:
http://www.reefs.org/hhfaq/pages/main_p ... _rock3.htm
_________________
Mercedes Benz CLK AMG Black Series