Brittle Star?

[sferris1]

Can someone help me ID this I have two. They look like star legs but I have yet to see a body they just stick out of the rock. I know the pics are not the best.

 

[Bifferwine]

They are star legs. It's a brittle star. Don't be surprised if you never see it's body -- the tiny hitch hiking brittles like those rarely come out.

 

[AdeptMrSniffles]

Heh... nevermind :X

 

[sferris1]

Thanx Bifferwine

 

[dcantucson]

They also never get very big. If you look long enough then eventually you'll see one come out and crawl into another hole. When I first saw them in my tank I got excited and thought my brittle stars had reproduced. Not the case.

 

[lilyicu]

I have two brittle stars. My big one is about 6 inches across and the minute I put chopped up clam pieces in the water he starts flying over the rocks and sand to get to it :)

It is great to watch. My smaller one hides most of the time.

 

[dskirtech]

I have literally HUNDREDS of them...

In all the joining sections of my Favite Brain, I have so many that it looks like it needs to shave.

 

[Brian_G]

i thought brittle stars ate your coral?

at least thats what i heard from my lfs but i know i cant always trust them

 

[Bifferwine]

Brittle stars are reef safe; they don't eat coral.

 

[dskirtech]

+1 Biff

As I mentioned, I have tons living IN my Favite. not sure if they are supposed to have a *true* symbiotic relationship with them, but it is fascinating to watch. When the Favite pulls in food with its sleepers, The stars participate and also get to feed.

 

[yote]

+2 Biff
The only brittle star thats NOT safe,is the big green brittles.They can and do catch and eat fish.

 

[dcantucson]

Great yote, I have 3 of those!!!