What's this stripy tentacle thingie?

Discussion in 'ID This!' started by bigclick_dean, May 10, 2009.

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  1. bigclick_dean

    bigclick_dean Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2009
    Messages:
    33
    Location:
    NSW, Australia
    Well I was hunting around my tank after lights out as I heard come clicking (still cant see any sign of a shrimp at all, any suggestions for finding?) when I saw what looked like a star coming out of a rock.

    The picture is pretty bad as I am bad at taking dark shots.

    You can see it in the middle of the photo, it has long stringy legs that are white/grey and have dark stripes. When I shine a light on it it starts to retreat to its hole.

    Also found a clear red worm about 5mm wide and 50mm long, it ran away pretty fast though.

    Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

    Cheers,
    Dean
     

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  3. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Location:
    Bend,Oregon - USA
    Sorry, that pic will not help you. Try to take the pic with supplemental lighting.
    Descriptionwise: Could be alot of different things. Spaghetti worm, mini brittle, vermetid etc...................
     
  4. bigclick_dean

    bigclick_dean Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2009
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    33
    Location:
    NSW, Australia
    lol sorry about that ;-)

    I did have extra light but I still cannot get good images from the tank, even in full light.

    I did a search for those names you mentioned and it looks like a mini brittle (http://www.reefs.org/hhfaq/starfish/tiny_bstar.jpg)

    Are they safe to keep or will it kill stuff? I think I have around 3-4 of them.

    Cheers,
    Dean
     
  5. divott

    divott Giant Squid

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    holland landing, ontario ,canada
    im pretty sure the brittles are fine. i put 4 in my tank. they clean up leftover foods and such.
     
  6. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    They are beneficial and reproduce easily.
     
  7. PackLeader

    PackLeader Giant Squid

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    Yep, mini brittle's will cause you no harm. I used to have tons of them till I got a mandarin ;)
     
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  9. Yellow Tang

    Yellow Tang Bubble Tip Anemone

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    Michigan
    id say brittlies i have lots they are benfical
     
  10. horkn

    horkn Giant Squid

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    Location:
    Cedarburg, Wi
    Mini brittle stars are a good part of your clean up crew.