Tiny critters on my glass

[Carmen]

So today I noticed many white specks all over the glass, plus more white specks whirling in the water. Also saw larger white dots on the glass that I know must be pods, as I can see them crawling around. The white specks I believe are those tiny white starfish you see in tanks. Forget the name. As far as I know these are okay?

Also, if I want to clean the glass, is it okay to just knock these guys off? Does that kill them? I don't want to hurt anything, but I'm wanting to clean my glass soon.

 

[MitchReef]

The ones on the glass are almost certainly pods. Consider yourself well on the way to a mature tank!!! The others could be Asterina Stars but they usually look like little stars with at least one short leg.

Both are good guys!!!!

 

[salt_for_brains]

Micro brittles are probably the small starfish you see.

I clean my glass without hesitation to the pods.

 

[Carmen]

Thanks for the replies! I'm excited that the tank is cycling like it should.