Button Polyps

[alvintheclownfish]

I have just purchased a button polyp, and i was looking it over in my tank last night and i saw what seems to a a bristle/brittle star fish smaller than the size of a penny., should i try to get it out, will it die off on its own? will it eat my polyps? Thanks

 

[RobertoVespucci]

I think those dudes are scavengers and detritus eaters. You probably won't see too much of him and I think they reproduce in healthy tanks. If he stays small I think he's safe and you ought to leave him. If he gets big, then watch him. And by big a mean a couple inches across.

 

[bleedingthought]

Is it a baby version of this?

If so, you're fine! Just like Roverto said, they are scavengers. The only downside of a large one (MANY inches across, like the size in that picture) is it can knock stuff over.

 

[WRASSER]

They have been knowin to eat fish, too. They are opportunist and will take a fish. I think you will be ok for a while with the little one :wink:

 

[alvintheclownfish]

yea it looks like that but maybe looked like more of a silvery color, might of been the light but yea just like that, it didnt seem to have the bristles tho

 

[Anonymous]

yea it looks like that but maybe looked like more of a silvery color, might of been the light but yea just like that, it didnt seem to have the bristles tho

More like this.....??

Or...

 

[alvintheclownfish]

the top one maybe, are there any species i should be worried about?

 

[Anonymous]

the top one maybe, are there any species i should be worried about?

Yep.. - Both of the ones above are known fish eaters. - They fall into the basical label of being "serpent stars."

 

[alvintheclownfish]

well being its smaller than my fingernails, should i worry now? or when it gets bigger it will be more visable and i can get it out? any pointers on finding it , ar ethey nocturnal?

 

[Anonymous]

No worries for now then.. - If you can't find it later on (yeah, they're nocturnal for the most part) you can try using a trap. - You've got plenty of time though.

 

[cindre2000]

It may just be a "mini" Bristle Star. I have hundreds in my tank and they do not bother the corals or fish since they don't get bigger than a penny.

 

[alvintheclownfish]

thanks guys, ima wait it out , in a six gallon u can tell if there are any disruptions