Micro-Brittle Star Spawning Event?

I've had this tank for a while, now. It was started with all dry rock and crushed coral. The last additions were my leathers, all of which were attached to pieces of live rock rubble, more than a year ago. I knew some micro-brittle stars were imported- I've seen the little arms poking from 5 holes in one rock in particular. However, I was not ready for this...

Thursday night, about half an hour after lights out, I noticed a cluster of 6 or 7 stars on the front glass. That was the very first time I'd seen them out (I do check my tank frequently with a flashlight). Upon closer inspection, I found what appeared to be HUNDREDS of them-- they covered everything, and were still crawling out of the rockwork and even the CC substrate! I opted to not disturb them, and just killed the flashlight and walked away. Roughly an hour later, they were all back in hiding.

My questions are, was this a spawning event, and is it apparent that it has happened before and I just missed it?

TIA

 

80 views in 28 hours and not a single thought on the subject? Wow...

 

What we want are pictures. Come on Bill, you've been here long enough to know that by now.

In all honesty, I feel like it would take a bit longer for the spawn to be visible to the naked eye, although I have no idea how cnidarians breed.

 

In the past spawing events happened when I turned off the pumps and did a water change inadvertently causing a noticeable change in ALK. This usually happened when I used RC, part to the reason I stopped. When they spawn they stand up on their legs.

Bad picture of spawning.


Just out and about after lights out and after introduction of food to the tank.

 

Sorry, but no pics. Unfortunately, my camera talents leave a lot to be desired, especially under a flashlight. :/

I'm just curious if there could be any other reason why they would all suddenly come out into the open, and for such a short period.

 

Hmmm... mine looked like your second pic, Cheryl. I had not done anything at all, other than routine feeding. Last one was a couple of hours prior to lights out.

Perhaps I should've watched them to see what they did before retreating.

 

Maybe there was change in pH or something else that triggered it. They sand up and produce little puffs of what looks like smoke. Seems entirely possible you could have missed the event.

Some of mine were huge, 1/2 across the central disk and I had no idea they got that big or were even in the tank. I just assumed they were all small. I removed rocks and these big grand daddy ones came creeping out.

 

Wow! 1/2 inch across the disc? Mine weren't anywhere near that. Most didn't have much more than 1 inch leg span.

Don't know what might have caused a change in pH (or anything else), but I suppose it's possible. To be honest, I didn't test anything. Still kinda curious how I got so many without ever seeing them out before.

And all this time I thought I knew my tank.

 

Iv had the luck of spotting one on my glass once but its a rare occurrence. I love the way they look and had no idea they got that big as well.

When you shine light on them they are quick to go into hiding.