pest?

[brewercm]

Check for spaghetti worm. Sounds like it could be that.

[Kristy]

Is it more wormlike or more starfish-esque?

Definitely not wormlike at all... it's very starfish-esque (nice new descriptive terminology!) The legs are very slender and banded black and white. The only reason it does not seem to be a starfish is that there are only the three legs and the distinctive antennae things. Might have to borrow a camera with a decent zoom feature so I can show you guys.

Thanks again for the helpful responses.

[apedroza]

could be smaller legs that haven't grown out yet, so in actuality it does have 5 legs. Seroent stars have been known to shed legs then grow them back.

[Kristy]

could be smaller legs that haven't grown out yet, so in actuality it does have 5 legs. Seroent stars have been known to shed legs then grow them back.

I thought that for a second initially, but then took a closer look. The shorter two antennae ones are different than the long thin legs, they are sort of feathery and thicker. Also, I have come across four of these creatures so far and they are all identical, so there is no way that all four of these different serpent stars happen to have the same mishap and end up with a pair of shorter legs.

Somewhere in the back of my brain I think I remember reading about a reef pest that fit this description, but now I cannot find anything on it. I keep hoping someone will read this and and know exactly what I am talking about.

[apedroza]

HMM pics would definitely help!!

[MissT]

have you checked zoaid.com? they've got a decent database for stuff that messes with zoas