Creepy thing in rock!

Hi,

Okay, I have what I think is a big brittle sea star living in one of my live rocks. I can't say for sure it's a brittle star, since it never (at least while I'm awake) comes out of the rock. What I can see are five long (about 2-3 inch), skinny legs that move like tentacles outside of the rock. The legs appear to be striped tan and brown and look like they have bristles on them. The creature has completely eaten a big sponge that was on the rock. (Bummer - cool hitch hiker!) I'm worried what else it will eat since the sponge is now gone!

Does it sound like a brittle star? If so, how can I get rid of it? It's big already, and I don't want it growing inside my 37 gallon tank. I don't like it!

Thanks for any help!

 

micro bristle star harmless they are actually helpful as they eat algae and and other organic things. it might have ate ur sponge but im not sure but i highly doubt it but they are usually good hitchhikers

 

But it creeps me out! I've heard horror stories about brittle stars eating small fish...?

 

lol noooooo green serpent star get big enough to eat fish but most bristle star are fine and micros are harmless try to keep it living its a good sign ur tank is fine

 

Okay...I still really dislike it though! It's the only hitch hiker that really bothers me - makes my skin crawl. :-/ But I am positive it ate my sponge. I saw it! It reaches out with its creepy leg and grabs some sponge! I'll leave it for now and see what happens.

Thanks!

 

most things in my tank creep me out or make me get chills lol that happens with things we dont understand lol

 

lol ur such a girl

 

How big do they get? Ewww....

 

check this site out Live Rock Hitch Hikers

 

Okay...those things look ginormous. I'll watch him for a little bit, but if he gets out of line, he's gone!

Thanks for the help!