Dego Red Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 If you saw the last thread to ID my GSP's, you'd know I got quite a few hitchhikers. Well, I picked up yet another when I bought a small digi colony. It appears to be a common sand sifter, but I've never seen one as a juvenile. Whatcha think? Thanks! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsoz Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 asterina starfish. good guy as long as the color is not red or green. dsoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finch6013 Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 I have some of these in my tank. Good to know what they are finally. Thanks Dsoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dego Red Posted June 8, 2009 Author Share Posted June 8, 2009 asterina starfish. good guy as long as the color is not red or green. dsoz Guess I should have mentioned he's already the size of a quarter. From what I read about the asterina, that might be ruled out with size and the number of legs (mine has 5; http://www.nano-reef.com/invertebrates/?id=9). Thanks, Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Thats a big one! But it does look like an asternia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsoz Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Most of the ones I have seen are more like dime size or smaller. But I have seen them with as few legs as 3, and as many as 7. It all depends on where it is in the reproduction cycle. They usually reproduce by dropping off one or two legs and they grow into new individuals. It seems that it is mostly the red or green ones that eat corals. The ones that are white or grey seem to be mostly harmless and eat mostly coraline. My luck has it that I have the red and green kind. I have seen them in my zoas and on some SPS having a little snack... I am on a mission to remove them every time I see one. dsoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
defigart Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Well considering there are over 2000 described species, and some scientists think there are 2X-3X more species of undescribed "starfish". How many do we see on a regular basis in our tanks? 10-20 species. It wouldn't suprise me if it was something uncommon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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