ID please

[nanoman]

Seen Just one of these in the tank and wanted to know what it is...

It kinda looks like a star missing a leg its very tiny is it harmful?

 

[Wes]

aterina starfish, mostly harmless. some say the dark colored ones could be harmful so its best to get them out if possible, but the light colored ones like pictured can be mostly ignored. i do know some who get rid of all just to be safe, but i dont bother in my tank and have never noticed a problem caused by them.

 

[Jeff]

If you have a Harlequin (sp?) shrimp you'll never see one of these stars again...

 

[gmax]

Looks like someone was eating on this guy anyway!

 

[rickyb]

@gmax wrote:

That's how they look like and split rapidly and can become a nuisance.

 

[Chikky]

I have lots of these and I too have not noticed them doing any harm to my corals. I often find them less a leg like this one too

 

[Animal Mother]

We've got tons of them in our tanks. Can't say they've ever caused any noticeable problems. As noted, a Harlequin shrimp will eliminate them if you really don't like them.

 

[nanoman]

Thanks everyone,

I don't mind them this little guy actually looks pretty cool to me
if they become a problem I will worry about it then

THANKS SO MUCH

 

[timthetoolman]

Here's one that is not safe. It is the brown version of the white ones I've had for a while. This is a new colony of zoas so there may be a little die off that attracted him because I haven't had any issues with the others but the worms are not attacking it so he might just have a taste for zoas.

 

[Jeff]

I had a seven armed one just the other day. strange.