Hitchhiker- Baby Star?

[sttroyiii]

Hello, I have been reading here for a couple of months now. I started my tank up the beginning of this month. Its a 20 gal. with 20lbs. of Fiji Pink Live Sand, and about 6lbs. of assorted Live Rock as it sits now. Im just coming to the end of my first cycle. I am just building it up as money permits, and trying to go slow. In the last few days, Ive started noticing some critters: a couple of baby featherdusters and a couple of baby aiptasia (Joe's Juice on the way!). Last night, I noticed a tiny little worm, no bigger than a 1/2" long thread. That got me to looking even harder. A bump on a rock kinda jumped out at me as being different, and I realized it was moving ever so slowly. Its about 1/4" diameter, and I think it is a baby starfish. My tank has been up a total of 10 days now, so I am pretty surprised to see anything. A pod dashed out of sight just this morning. The rock was uncured and I scrubbed it pretty good when I got it. Anyways, it looks like this little guy once had 6 legs. Now it has 3 good ones, and 3 little nubs trying to grow back. Im not sure if it is going to make it or not though. I kept checking on it, and at one point it had flipped over and was hanging on by only one arm. Later it had fallen to the sand, upside down. I gently put it back on the rock after taking a couple of quick pictures. Any clues on ID? I am having a really hard time getting my camera to focus on something inside the tank. Its also a new camera. His arms are rather rounded, and he is a mottled grey/purple color. He just looks brown out of the light. Included is a pic of my tank, just for kicks.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/112147Star1.JPG

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/112147Star2.JPG

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/112147Star3.JPG

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/112147Tank1-10-06.JPG

I have another 5lbs of cured Fiji rock, 5lbs. of cured Kaelini rock and two power heads coming the middle of next week from premiumaquatics. I plan for my tank to be mostly LR, corals, and a couple of fish. Thanks for looking!

Justin

[SeanT]

[welcome]

It appears to be an Asterina sp. starfish.
Harmless. :)

[dr.darkness]

I agree 100%

[sttroyiii]

Thanks! After looking at more pictures, I think concure. I have another question though. On this 20gal. tank, I have two Topfin (Old, I know) overflow filters that are rated for 40gal. each. I use my own mixture of activated carbon and porous grow media to fill up the filter bags. Is this enough? I have been researching skimmers, and trying to decide if I need one in addition to this set up. If I need a skimmer, what do you think about the ones that attach to the intake of the overflow filter (inside tank skimmer)? Its the cheaper route for sure, but I could have one 40gal. filter for regular duty, and have the second 40gal. filter for attaching to the skimmer. I wont be ready for a sump/fuge for awhile. Im guessing the kind that I am talking about wouldnt have a bubbler inside, but it would still be drawing from the surface of the water and running through filter media.

[Loralie]

I agree with Sean. These starfish reproduce VERY rapidly. They don't harm corals. I have hundreds in my 125. The fuge is teaming with them. I like haveing them around...they are kinda neat. But I bought 2 Harlequin Shrimp(which are way cool) to keep their populations under control. Enjoy the little critter and he won't get much larger, but he will possible make himself some friends

[crzy4reefs]

they stay small and usually come out at night unless there is nothing in there too eat them then they come out when ever i have lots of those and what also looks like mini brittle stars......both are harmless

[Fast Fred]

Agreed. They are pretty cool to look at. I have dozens in my 125g. They seem to loose legs on a regular basis. I don't know why. Maybe a method of reproducing? Maybe just replacing a bad one, like a shark replaces his teeth.

Anyway, keep going slow. The tank looks great so far.

[crzy4reefs]

i believe that's the method of them reproducing.

[sttroyiii]

What about my question regarding a skimmer?

[sttroyiii]

bump

[sttroyiii]

Is there any of those nice people out there that will mail a bag o' pods for seeding my tank? I can paypal for shipping or something if its just a few bucks.

[sttroyiii]

Just got the LR from Premium Aquatics yesterday. I ordered 5lbs. of Kaelini premium cured and 5lbs. of Fiji premium cured. I got two 5lbs. rocks! I thought telling them it was a 20gal. tank helped in the rock selection. Anyway, they were shaped pretty nice. One is bowl shaped and gives the illusion there is a lot more rock under it.

[IMG]http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/112147DSC00080.JPG[IMG]

[sttroyiii]

Well I cant remember how to do the tags now...