Hitchhikers from coral

[AmberL]

I bought my first coral last night. When I dipped it, a brittle star and a small snail ran off it. I placed the hitchhikers in a separate container. They are still alive this morning. I dont have any brittle stars in my DT that I know of, I've looked in the dark.

Can I place these hitchhikers in my DT even though they went through the dip? Do I want these in my tank?

[Payton034]

Throw the brittle star in the DT, he'll be fine and but check to see how many legs it has. It probably has 6 as opposed to the normal brittle having 5

[AmberL]

It does have 6 legs. Is that a bad thing?

[Payton034]

I can't think of what they are called, but there are harmless and will multiply in the tank. They are good hitchhikers and will be part of the cleanup crew. The only get about the size of a quarter or so . The snail , could be good or bad, won't know without a pic or better description of shell

[Tank Time]

Most hitchhikers are good... A brittle star is a great one and a lot of snails are aswell. Sounds like a score :p

[AmberL]

I put the brittle star in the DT tank. The snail is small and its shell is about the size and look of a black bean.

[Tank Time]

Picture?

[maximo801]

i have a 3 month old 47gal tank with fish and 12 lbs of live rock. I have been haveing problems with adding any crabs, snals etc. I introduse them like your suppose to with the drip method and every time the crab or snail slows and eventully dies. I have tested for amonia, ph, nitrite, nitrate. The only thing i can come up with is my ph looks low like 8.0
PLease help.

[HanoverFist]

maxim - test for copper?

[jeff@zina.com]

It does have 6 legs. Is that a bad thing?
Sounds like an asterina star. Cute, not entirely reef safe but safe enough in moderation.

Jeff