Help ID Please -

[Paul C.]

Just doing some much needed algae removal in the frag tank and came across a clutch of these under a mushroom rock. Please help with ID - and tell me if I should keep them or look for more and destroy them.
thanks in advance of your help.

 

[rajkovich207]

Mini brittle stars. Great detrivors/scavangers!

 

[Paul C.]

Mini brittle stars. Great detrivors/scavangers!

How big is mini? I have counted six in this small bowl. It is possible to over run the tank?

 

[returnofsid]

You rarely see them larger than a quarter. Great to have in your aquarium and it's very unlikely that they'll over run your tank, though you may see them in mass spawning events every once in awhile.

They'll all join into a group, usually at the highest point of your rocks, stand up on 2 of their legs, wave the rest of their legs in the water, spewing out sperm and eggs. It's kinda cool to witness and will cause no problems whatsoever.

 

[Paul C.]

Thank you returnofsid and rajkovick027 for your input. I believe we have about a dozen of them.

 

[ChoxRox]

You rarely see them larger than a quarter. Great to have in your aquarium and it's very unlikely that they'll over run your tank, though you may see them in mass spawning events every once in awhile.

They'll all join into a group, usually at the highest point of your rocks, stand up on 2 of their legs, wave the rest of their legs in the water, spewing out sperm and eggs. It's kinda cool to witness and will cause no problems whatsoever.

Oh god I can just imagine avoiding putting my hands in the tank for a few weeks... That's awesome, but gross!