Star thing on my hermit crab shell

[VerniLuck]

Hey everyone I was watching the tank today when I noticed a star thing on one of the hermit crabs shell. I thought nothing of it then I seen it move and it was moving around on the shell does anyone know what it could be? Thanks

 

[bennysmith1997]

That looks like a Asterina Starfish, harmless hitchhiker.

 

[bushdoc]

As above, some reefers don’t like asterinas as they can multiply fast, however , generally, eventually their number decreases.

 

[VerniLuck]

Interesting thank you. Yeah we have no idea how it got in the tank or where it came from but, if i see it again i might take it out. It fell off the shell and is somewhere roaming around

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hey everyone I was watching the tank today when I noticed a star thing on one of the hermit crabs shell. I thought nothing of it then I seen it move and it was moving around on the shell does anyone know what it could be? Thanks

It is asterina and they can be a nightmare, Most eat zoa, multiply like mice and clog intakes and pumps
I remove by hand or 2" brine shrimp net as I see them. I havent had any well over a year

 

[SnazzyUrchin792]

Advice for the future: don’t takes photos with blue lights on.

 

[SnazzyUrchin792]

Definitely an Asterina. They’ve never bothered anything in my tank

 

[Mark Goode]

Harmless perhaps, but I don't like 'em. I've only ever found half of one in my tank, and I disposed of it before it could grow the other half. That makes me a bad person, I know.

 

[kjkszpj9]

There are different species of Asterina starfish but most are probably harmless.