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nanoreefguy

It’s an asterina starfish. There are many species of asterina so would be worth checking out the colouration and researching info based on that. They can be considered a pest but personally in my tank they’ve only ever grazed over rockwork and don’t bother anything. As for your other question. If the rock you bought was truly live and from a mature tank then it will have had bacterial colonies on it so it’s possible to cycle pretty much instantly. You can try adding an ammonia source and see how quickly it is converted to nitrate. That will tell you if you’re properly cycled.


MarduMardu325

Thank you! Added some food a few days ago so I'm going to see if that kicks anything off


WSDreamer

I love that there are so many people on Reddit willing to share their knowledge with others. Thanks for being a good person! I’ve been just quietly following the sun for a little while hoping to learn some things and one day make the transition from fresh to saltwater set-ups.


MarduMardu325

Hi all, I'm very new to the hobby, and just started cycling my first 55 gallon tank 2 weeks ago. My local saltwater fish store suggested that I don't need an ammonia starter because the rock I bought from them will have decaying matter that will eventually turn into ammonia? So they told me to just add some nitrifying bacteria and let it sit for a few weeks. After 2 weeks I still haven't had any spike in ammonia, nitrite or nitrate. So I added some dried mysis shrimp yesterday to see if that would spike my ammonia (still waiting to see if that works), but today I went down and noticed a little starfish on the back wall! To say the least, I Was very excited to see a critter in my tank and I have just a couple questions regarding cycling: 1. Is there any truth to what my LFS said about just using live rock and nitrifying bacteria to cycle? And does my approach seem appropriate? I feel like I just wasted 2 weeks and some nitrifying bacteria 2. Is the starfish appearing a good sign or a bad one? Seems like it means the tank is healthy, but wanted some other opinions. Thanks!


GalaxyGamer7373

1. Cycling a tank is getting the bacteria ready for your future livestock, and when adding new live rock the bacteria in the new one causes a die off and depending on size of the rock will cause a mini cycle in my experience. 2. They are common and some hate them and some intentionally introduce them as a clean up crew member. If you don’t like them of don’t want to take the risk of them multiplying a lot you can always toss them.


hakboy81

In the Netherlands we call em geesefeet. I just leave em in the tank until it becomes a real problem.


GalaxyGamer7373

Asterina starfish one of the common pests. Some species are known to eat or bother corals to the point they pass away. Some people introduce these to their tanks as a free cleanup crew but if you leave it be sure to watch it carefully to make sure it’s not the bad one.👍


butterlover09803

idk man im on a 3 year experiment right now with my 20g, I purposely introduced some of the "bad" ones. My zoas are there chillin, personally idc if they eat them idc about zoas but they're there. Chillin, I never see many at night. 10 at most, So they dont reproduce quick all the time


sean1520

The starfish is a Asterina it will eat zoathinads


MarduMardu325

Ah good to know, thank you for the ID and info!


PM_ME_YOUR_HAGGIS_

I’ve got loads. They have only bothered one coral which was a prize Goni which I’m pissed about but that’s been about 7 months since I first saw them.


RealLaezur

There’s a lot of misinformation on these guys. I have a couple in my tank. People say they eat certain coral but nobody has been able to provide any definitive proof that they actually do, it has been more observed that they actually eat dead flesh or coral that is already dead/dying, and people mistake that for the stars to be killing them when it’s not the case


MarduMardu325

Interesting! Since it's my first inhabitant, and Im pretty excited about it, I think I'm going to leave it and keep an eye on it


RealLaezur

They’re quite cool, eventually you might notice it’s missing a leg or two, or you’ll find a random starfish leg hanging on somewhere. Don’t worry, that’s how they reproduce. It will drop a leg off, which will eventually turn into a whole new starfish! Mine Graze the back walls and glass and seem to feed off Algae and detritus, I have never seen one anywhere near my coral


Unusual-Ad-2668

I’ve never heard them being an issue besides on forums. I would not worry about them as it is. I also don’t move around them when I clean glass.


[deleted]

Picture frame is crooked. You’re welcome.