Tag-along found

[QuickSilver525]

hey guys i found a black starfish in my liverock that i bought. i was wondering if you can help me with identifying it, i dont have a picture yet but when he comes out i will. he is small and black with long looking hairy things all over him. it is kinda ugly. lol sorry i couldnt be of much more help but any help would do. is it poisonous or anything? just please let me know :)

[dmweise]

Sounds like a brittle star based on the 'hairy' look.

[QuickSilver525]

are they bad?? or do they just look kinda ugly ???

[Jonthefishguy]

why not google it and find out. :wink_smile:

[Troutmasters02]

QuickSilver after reading a few of your posts it sounds like your new to this hobby. If not, sorry if I've offended you. Do LOTS of reading before you start buying coral, that way you don't kill things and throw money down the toilet.

[QuickSilver525]

lmao i am not new. i have had many tanks its just that i am new to nano's its kinda weird i understand that its an easy concept but i just still dont understand everything. i am used to bigger aquariums. i have had alot of experience with saltwater for like 4 years. lol just dont know everything you know? you know what they say you learn something new everyday. but i guess its just the simplicity of it thats just really throwing me off. i mean how could u just put everything in a nano but not really need anything in the back part for like a sump that just boggles my mind. haha

[msmith619]

A "hairy" starfish is usually a brittle star. No, they are not harmfull. Many people buy them as scavengers and sand sifters. Not all brittle starts are sand sifters but most are good scavengers of meaty food left-overs. All is good, he should be a safe addition to your tank.
*NOTE* occasionally someone will post about starfish eating a fish or coral, this is not the norm but not all inverts follow the 'normal' rule. Keep an eye out for problems but usually they are a welcome addition to the aquarium. Not knowing which star it is (a picture helps) I will assume it is one of the safe varieties.
Mike

[QuickSilver525]

thanks for the advice i really appreciate it. i am just not familiar with stars lol but i did some research on it last night and you are all right. thank you so much.

[Troutmasters02]

Marine Invertebrates by Ronald Shimek, Ph.D. is a nice little handbook to have laying around.

[NeptunesGhost]

LOL MARINE INVERTEBRATES and MARINE FISHES were the first two aquarium books we ever purchased. My wife has read them so much (especially the inverts) that she can turn directly to an animal just by hearing it's name! It's not really a book anymore, just a loosly bound collection of pages. Excellent material!

[QuickSilver525]

lol sweet, ya maybe i should get some more books on it, but i mostly do all my research online

[jrsatx20]

I would use our search area.

[Troutmasters02]

I would throw caution to online material as it is not scientific nor factual (in some cases) and can lead you down some unpleasant roads of death and frustration. Publications are filtered, screened and otherwise proven on research and case studies which prove factual information.

[QuickSilver525]

cool thanks for the info :)