Was he eating it??

[fishiefishie]

I recently added a starfish (posted in Invert section for ID), as the LFS said it would be no problem with the reef. Well, this morning I saw it on top of the red mushroom frag I also got from the LFS. I got it off, but the mushroom had spit it's white stringy guts out, and it looks like there is a small dark spot on one side. Do you think the star was eating it, or was it just a case of the mushroom getting irritated at being sat on?

[ToeJam]

I recently added a starfish (posted in Invert section for ID), as the LFS said it would be no problem with the reef. Well, this morning I saw it on top of the red mushroom frag I also got from the LFS. I got it off, but the mushroom had spit it's white stringy guts out, and it looks like there is a small dark spot on one side. Do you think the star was eating it, or was it just a case of the mushroom getting irritated at being sat on?

Well first need a positive ID on that...and you should be calling that store and asking for its name asap...

But from what you describe sounds like he was chomping on it. Could eat soft coral or all for all i know.

You should consider returning it before more damage is done if you notice more things being chomped on while you investigate.

[fishiefishie]

I have an ID... it's an Echinaster Spinulosus. I still can't find much info on them, but after I got him off, I fed him an algae wafer and he's been cool since. When I took him off I noticed that his stomach wasn't out or anything, so maybe he was just resting?
The dark spot went away on the mushroom and it looks really good now.
I'll be keeping a CLOSE eye on him though... one more questionable incident and he's out.