White Starfish - couple of mm's across - ID plz

[SeanH]

Hey all

I noticed when i added my live rock 2 weeks ago i started to see bits of life. However, there has been a white starfish quite small - probably size of a 20c piece but i haven't seen it again. However, this weekend i saw the critter below - size of a 10c. Different to the first and the first didn't have spiny legs as this does. Anyone have an idea?

Thanks

 

[frankie fish]

From which country did ur liverock originate? Normally,the little white stars can be asterina stars,but the spiny legs on this one,i am afraid to say crown-of-thorns(baby),because thats the only star i know of with a lot of spines. Any starfish experts?

 

[frankie fish]

Then again,crown of thorns have up to 20 arms.

 

[SeanH]

This LR came from Mozambique as far as i know - got it from Idol.

 

[frankie fish]

Closest id i can get is a juvenile comb star,only problem is that comb stars have 5 legs,yours got 6. Now if a star has 6legs,it can belong to the echinaster family. Do u have any more pics of it,maybe from the top?

 

[Achilles]

Looks like a species of brittle star to me

 

[SeanH]

Closest id i can get is a juvenile comb star,only problem is that comb stars have 5 legs,yours got 6. Now if a star has 6legs,it can belong to the echinaster family. Do u have any more pics of it,maybe from the top?

Hey frankie - that was the best shot i could get at the time. I will see where it is this afternoon/evening and if there is a better shot i can take i shall do so.

As i said it's the second star i have seen in here. The other is either "gone" or hiding. That one had 5 legs - long and thin and also white but was a little bigger.

 

[frankie fish]

If u look at the length of the legs in relation to the body,it may be a brittle too.

 

[belindamotion]

I have to agree with some of the above mentioned posts...looks like a Brittle Starfish...

Class: Ophiuroidea

Most small species are reef safe scavengers and valuable additions to the reef tank, however, the larger serpent; more (specifically the green) and the larger bristles will sometimes go after smaller fish and ornamental shrimp.

Brittle Starfish - Invertebrate Information Database - Nano-Reef.com

If you really want to know the Scientific Name, then you could try here...
http://eol.org/pages/2036/entries/39145993/media

 

[SeanH]

WOW Belinda - what can i say! You're the best - how do i thank you?

Anyway now at least i know i don't have to get rid of the little bilghter

THOUGH - the other had smooth legs...

I have to agree with some of the above mentioned posts...looks like a Brittle Starfish...

Class: Ophiuroidea

Brittle Starfish - Invertebrate Information Database - Nano-Reef.com

If you really want to know the Scientific Name, then you could try here...
http://eol.org/pages/2036/entries/39145993/media

 

[belindamotion]

..Anyway now at least i know i don't have to get rid of the little bilghter..

Just make sure it is not one of the "larger serpents"...if you look at the oral disc in the center...you'r star's disc sure looks big in comparison to the overall body picture I posted...as you know the Green Brittle can go for small fish...I have to state...purely if underfed, but what I want to say is the fact that they have the "bigger oral disc"...and if I'm not mistaken, could you'rs have too? Unless the legs just gets longer and the body grows slower...?

Quote:
As long as the central disc is meaty in appearance, the Brittle Star can be considered well fed. Predatory hunting may occur if animal is not fed enough.
Green Brittle Starfish, Brittle Sea Star - Ophiarachna incrassata

 

[SeanH]

I will definately keep an eye on it. If it grows and is suspiciously like the green brittle I will get rid of it - humanely.

Thanks again.

Just make sure it is not one of the "larger serpents"...if you look at the oral disc in the center...you'r star's disc sure looks big in comparison to the overall body picture I posted...as you know the Green Brittle can go for small fish...I have to state...purely if underfed, but what I want to say is the fact that they have the "bigger oral disc"...and if I'm not mistaken, could you'rs have too? Unless the legs just gets longer and the body grows slower...?