Can you identify these? Good for tank?

[advocate777]

This looks like a brittle star but the legs are weird. Anyone know what they are and if they are good? There are two that came in on a shipment of dry rock. Also, found this small worm in the sump. Thanks

[Ron Reefman]

You're right, it does look a lot like a mini sea star, but I've never seen one with legs that seem to have branched out like that. Very strange. I'd be inclinde to keep it, but maybe pull it out and get a couple of better photos on a plain white background first (just to help ID it).

The worm just looks like a brissle worm, but it's hard to be sure due to lack of picture quality. If it is, it's OK in the tank.

[thebkramer]

those are some neat looking stars!!!!! reminds me of a basket star because of arms.
here are some links to help with ID

Chucks Addition (http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchhikers.html)
Inverts (http://www.starfish.ch/c-invertebrates/corals.html)
Starfish Info (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/ac/feature/index.php)
More Inverts (http://www.nevillecoleman.com.au/underwater-marine-life-id-books-/sea-stars-echinoderms-of-asia-indopacific.aspx)
TBSW (http://tbsaltwater.com/thepackage/organisms.html)

[nanoreef heaven]

Those stars look awesome.

*Sent from my little corner of the reef. Nano nano!*

[Anemone]

Mini basket brittles come in as hitchhikers on gorgonians. The pictures you have show it gripping the stalk of the coral. They open up (primarily at night) and hold on with just one or two legs and look like a snowflake ornament on the coral, to feed. They filter feed by capturing small particulate matter from the water column, so I'd make sure you have some sort of cyclopeeze or marine snow type product that you could target feed in the area when the star is open (turkey baster or eye dropper).

Good luck. I've only managed to keep them for a couple of months, but I'm not sure if that was because they came in on very small gorgonia frags and "wandered" away in search of a larger home and therefore missed something they needed via their association with the gorgonia, or if they simply weren't getting enough of whatever type of food they needed.

Kevin

[Anemone]

Mini basket brittles come in as hitchhikers on gorgonians. The pictures you have show it gripping the stalk of the coral. They open up (primarily at night) and hold on with just one or two legs and look like a snowflake ornament on the coral, to feed. They filter feed by capturing small particulate matter from the water column, so I'd make sure you have some sort of cyclopeeze or marine snow type product that you could target feed in the area when the star is open (turkey baster or eye dropper).

Good luck. I've only managed to keep them for a couple of months, but I'm not sure if that was because they came in on very small gorgonia frags and "wandered" away in search of a larger home and therefore missed something they needed via their association with the gorgonia, or if they simply weren't getting enough of whatever type of food they needed.

Kevin