serpent star fish breeding.

[johnmoers]

so today I noticed dozens, maybe 50 or so serpent stars coming out of the rocks all over the tank and releasing a milky white cloud from their bodies. now the entire water column is milky white. do you think these guys are mating?

 

[Tahoe61]

They are indeed spawning. Spawns have happened after water changes if the alk swing was too great, and a time or two when the power heads were turned off for longer periods.

 

[johnmoers]

I thought that's what was happening. I did filter maintenance today on my fluval fx5. changed the carbon, the pads, new phos ban, about 4 gal of new ro/di water and salt. it was neat watching them all come out, you usually only see their legs hanging out.

 

[Tahoe61]

I am not sure what triggers it, seems like a change in water chemistry. They are Ophiuroidea aka Mini Brittle Stars by the way.