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Aquarium Friend or Foe?: Micro Brittle Starfish

Micro brittle starfish on a rock

Spotted a tiny, starfish-like creature seeming to “walk” across your tank using a multitude of long, spindly and seemingly hairy arms? Or maybe you’ve noticed said spindly arms sticking out of your live rock? Fear not. It’s not an alien, just a micro brittle starfish! Micro brittle stars can hitchhike their way into your aquarium … Read more

Aiptasia Anemone | Aquarium Friend or Foe?

Aiptasia anemones in an aquarium

Woke up to find your reef tank overrun with small, brownish to translucent anemones? You’re not the first: it has happened, or will happen, to almost every aquarist at some point. That’s why today in FantaSEA’s Friend or Foe series, we’re discussing Aiptasia anemones and what to do about them. Are these anemones bad? Should … Read more

Spirorbid worms | Aquarium Friend or Foe?

If youโ€™ve been following the FantaSEA blog for a while, youโ€™ll know that there are plenty of critters out there that can show up in your aquarium uninvited. Thatโ€™s why weโ€™ve got the Aquarium Friend or Foe section! Todayโ€™s creature feature: spirorbid worms. Are they useful guests or unwanted pests? Keep reading for everything you … Read more

Stomatella Snail | Aquarium Friend or Foe?

If youโ€™re an avid marine fishkeeper, youโ€™ll know that live rock can contain a wide range of critters that might show their face over time. Some of these hitchhikers are considered unwanted visitors, while others are seen as neutral or even beneficial to your aquatic ecosystem. We get calls all the time asking about uninvited … Read more

Pineapple Sponge | Aquarium Friend or Foe?

Pineapple sponge of the genus Sycon

If youโ€™ve been following our blog posts, for a while, youโ€™ll know that there are all sorts of strange critters that might show up in your aquarium. Some, like spaghetti worms and peanut worms, are unsightly but not harmful. Others, like those on the list of unwanted aquarium hitchhikers, are another story! Today weโ€™re discussing … Read more

Peanut Worms | Aquarium Friend or Foe?

Peanut worm in the sand

Anyone whoโ€™s been keeping reef aquariums for a while can tell you that plenty of things pop up in saltwater aquariums that they never intentionally put in there. Itโ€™s usually just part of the fun, although sometimes it can be a headache (unwanted hitchhikers, anyone?). The peanut worm is among the stranger visitors that one … Read more

Gorilla Crab | Aquarium Friend or Foe?

Round crab (Xantho pilipes) underwater in the Mediterranean Sea

If youโ€™re first setting up your reef tank, youโ€™re likely going to be using live rock, which has visual benefits and helps keep your aquarium healthy. Live rock can also harbor a variety of visitors: some good and some bad. Theyโ€™re called hitchhikers. One common hitchhiker is the gorilla crab. Keep reading to find all … Read more