True Sea star grazing on zoa's ???

[SyntheticOcean]

I woke this morning, and was checking out the synthetic ocean, and saw my true sea star wrapped around one of my zoa plugs. I dove in and pulled it off. Could it be true, a zoa eating star? The zoa was expelling his zooxanthellae... hhhmmm

 

[jgonzz]

What is a true sea star?

 

[SyntheticOcean]

A star fish I plucked from the beach in Florida. ;-)

 

[SyntheticOcean]

I am sure I will be admonished by many for admitting to taking from the ocean.

 

[jgonzz]

Ahh ok

I was wondering the type of star

 

[SyntheticOcean]

Not exactly sure. Its not a sand sifting star. As it 'never' sifts the sand. It stays on the rock and glass. It is very light purple(almost light brown) with nobs on its body.

 

[jgonzz]

I would say its probably not a reef safe star

Can't say for sure with out knowing the exact type

 

[SyntheticOcean]

Would be my guess as well. I'll try to find out what type it is. Post a pic later today.

 

[SyntheticOcean]

Here is a pic of it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/renehug/2084916700/

 

[Cake_Boss]

I thought knobs equal not reef safe? It's very possible that you have a zoa eating star, also possible that you have a algae eating start. I'm searching google for an ID, but my google skills are failing me.

 

[SyntheticOcean]

Interesting you say that, when I add something new to the tank, the stars rush in with the crabs and start cleaning.... I have lost 1 small colony of zoa's. Not completely sure its the star. I am researching as well. I guess this is why you don't catch wild, unless you know what it is. Kinda like the cone snail I have.. ;-)

 

[Cake_Boss]

Oh, the cone snail is YOURS.....j/k.
That's a cool detrivor if he really is one.

 

[SyntheticOcean]

hahaha.. YES, the cone snail is mine. I have not seen him take down a fish yet. He is small as compared to my fish. The snail is in QT right now until I figure out exactly what he feeds on. I am going to put a silver side in the QT and see what the snail does.

 

[MartinsReef]

A lot of stars are "not" reef safe. Also how did you get it back to colorado? The reason I ask is that in FL you have to show collectors permit or receipt of purchase to carry on a plane.

I also would love to see your cone snail one day! "Be Careful!"

 

[SyntheticOcean]

good ol UPS.

Yes, I am careful with the cone snail. I certainly do not tap his door. ;-)

 

[Cake_Boss]

looks like you might've gotten a sweet deal on the star, per WWM:
Linckia Starfish? Nope Dear Wetweb Crew, My sister purchased the starfish in the attached picture. She was told it as a rare Linckia Starfish and purchased it before doing any research. Her tank is only 2 months old. She wants to give it to me for my tank and after searching everywhere, I cannot identify it. I don't want to ad a predator star to my tank. Is it possible for you to ID from this picture? I can only find information on red and blue Linckias so I hesitate to take this starfish. Is this a reef safe star? Thank you for you time and expertise. Susan

For reference, here's yours

 

[SyntheticOcean]

Interesting. The behavior described seems to be the behavior my star exhibits. Cruises all over the tank, does not bury itself in the sand, and crawls over the corals, even sps. It worried me when I saw it on the zoa.

Thanks for the research and post.

 

[Haulin Oates]

Caught my starfish and emerald crab helping themselves buffet style on 3 zoa colonies the day after reef stock... Needless to say; BANNISHED!!!