Orange star won’t leave clam alone

sim2142

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Added a clam yesterday and ever since my sea star has just been hanging out on the side of it.

I moved him off with tweezers and placed him around 30cm away but he came straight back into almost an identical position.

I waited overnight to see if he would move himself and when I woke up this morning he was still on the clam

808C0DF8-95C6-4313-B999-A86243A3867D.jpeg


Its never done this with the other clam but should I be concerned about predacious behaviour? Also does anyone know what breed of starfish this is?

Thanks
 
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sim2142

sim2142

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Put the star in sump if you havnt already wait for someone who knows to comment. Looks predatory
He started to slowly move around the clam cradle just as I posted, seems to be no visible damage and clean of algae where he moved off.

He is normally on the glass eating algae but I cleaned the tank thoroughly before adding the clam so maybe the only source of algae currently is on the clam shell.

Just watching it closely for now
 

xxkenny90xx

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He started to slowly move around the clam cradle just as I posted, seems to be no visible damage and clean of algae where he moved off.

He is normally on the glass eating algae but I cleaned the tank thoroughly before adding the clam so maybe the only source of algae currently is on the clam shell.

Just watching it closely for now
No damage is a great sign but ya, watch very closely. I don't trust that star....
 

JGT

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Maybe, love at first sight. :) believe that a red fromia star. Turn more orange and lose black tips as it matures. It’s reef safe.
 

mdb_talon

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I dont know that specific starfish, but generally speaking clams are a stable of starfish diet in the wild and they will attempt to eat anything they can wrap their mouth around which is surprisingly large.
 
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sim2142

sim2142

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I'm more interested in what that clam is actually sitting in/on...
943C6F50-8BB3-4451-A358-6916CA655F47.jpeg

Clam cradle, like a coral plug but for clams.

My other clam was harassed by anemones that decided to move right up next to it. As his foot was deep in the rockwork I couldn’t move him away.

Glad this one came on a cradle from the lfs will easily be able to move it around if they get close this time.
 

Ed olson

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943C6F50-8BB3-4451-A358-6916CA655F47.jpeg

Clam cradle, like a coral plug but for clams.

My other clam was harassed by anemones that decided to move right up next to it. As his foot was deep in the rockwork I couldn’t move him away.

Glad this one came on a cradle from the lfs will just move it around if they get close this time.
That won't stifle the growth of the clam?
 

vetteguy53081

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You need to remove it now. Clams are easily stressed
 
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sim2142

sim2142

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(Possibly) important Update*

Was checking the clam for any damage and came across one of these guys sitting in the folds of the clam shell near the mantle.

B771E8B1-2295-4657-B9D1-E56657EEFEA5.jpeg

F8525944-83AA-4A06-A97F-90F6717C1692.jpeg



View the video on Imgur it’s a lot easier to see

Isolated it immediately till anyone can tell me what it is, about 3mm with a long tube siphon. Pyramid or too big?
 
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bsagea

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If it's a whelk - it would have circular rings around it's snorkel . Those snails are definitely clam predators. Nassarius on the other hand, which this could be pose no threat to a healthy clam....bsa
 

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