Brittle Star arms, worms, ???

CavalierReef

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I bought a bubble coral a few months ago and after several weeks (on the substrate) I noticed what I thought was the tentacle of a brittle star sticking out from underneath. The coral had been dipped and I thought maybe I had a beneficial hitchhiker. Several weeks later I noticed 2 tentacles swaying in the current from a crevice near the top of the tank. I couldn't figure out anyway a brittle star could fit where the tentacle was coming from. Today I noticed one of my octospawns not looking as healthy as normal. It appeared to be withdrawing from the tentacles seen in this photo. I apologize for the poor image but hopefully it's enough for one of you experts to ID. Thank you in advance for your time.

Critter ID.jpg
 

Billldg

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Brittle star arms. I have 2 or 3 at least, not sure because I have never seen the whole brittle stars, LOL!!! I purchased live rock which is how I got them.
 
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CavalierReef

CavalierReef

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Same with me, Billldg. I have at least 2 and have never seen the entire brittle star. The only reason I wondered is that the crevices they are in are so small that I didn't thi k
 

Biglew11

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Mini brittle star. There body is usually the size of a bb to about 1/4 inch. Good detrivior. Self regulating. They'll spawn in your tank if you have lots of food available. And die back a bit if little food is available. I've had hundreds in my tank one time.
 

ca1ore

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Brittles are laterally compressed and can fit in really small cracks. Usually you just see the arms.
 

FastandCurious

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It def looks like a brittle star. I picked up a few crab shells for my hermits from my LFS a few weeks back and as I was about to boil them in a bowl first I saw 2 arms start poking out of one shells. I was shocked bc he had been in an empty plastic bag with the shells the whole way home and then freshwater dipped and he was still alive! So since he was determined to live I put him in some tank water watched for a lil and then tossed him I my tank. Never to be seen again lol and that was about a month ago. I still wonder what adventures he's been on in my tank since I last saw him but for now he is the elusive brittle star in my tank named Heidi.
 

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CavalierReef

CavalierReef

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FastandCurious (love that handle) have you checked on Heidi lately? I use a magnifier and now see multiple arms sticking out the rocks at feeding time. I actually saw one tentacle catch a brine shrimp and pull it back out of sight. Pretty cool to watch.
 

ssunthar

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FastandCurious (love that handle) have you checked on Heidi lately? I use a magnifier and now see multiple arms sticking out the rocks at feeding time. I actually saw one tentacle catch a brine shrimp and pull it back out of sight. Pretty cool to watch.
I always see my bigger pink brittle star doing that...
20210304_021034.jpg

20210320_013618.jpg
 

FastandCurious

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FastandCurious (love that handle) have you checked on Heidi lately? I use a magnifier and now see multiple arms sticking out the rocks at feeding time. I actually saw one tentacle catch a brine shrimp and pull it back out of sight. Pretty cool to watch.
I always keep an eye out for her ever since but I haven't been checking around feeding time that's a good idea. She was so small tho I prob would def need a magnifier. I would be so happy if she poked her head (or arm) out to say hello!
 

ssunthar

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I always keep an eye out for her ever since but I haven't been checking around feeding time that's a good idea. She was so small tho I prob would def need a magnifier. I would be so happy if she poked her head (or arm) out to say hello!
I am sure she will come out one of these days..
 

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