very small starfish

[Cheech]

Hi...

yestaurday, I did what I usually do when I get home really late at night. Turned on a lamp, and stared at the little creatures that only come out when the lights are off.

Anyway, I saw some little starfish, (diameter + 1/2 inch) they look like brittle stars,, but are completely white... Willl these guys eventually grow, or are they a species that stay that small?

Thanks... :)


cheech

[Boogiechillin]

Many brittlestar species stay within about a 1/2" across at maximum. You can actually buy some of these stars at www.inlandaquatics.com , including bioluminescent varieties that are VERY cool. Regardless of the exact species, they are great sandbed detritivores that dig through the bed during the day and clean up the surface at night. Pretty decent rate of reproduction if you have a small group to begin with, and they are very much in demand as trade items with other reefers who want to seed their own sandbeds with a few.

[BBN]

Are they little stowaways that ride in with live rock?