60 Gallon Tank new saltwater friends

Hi, my name is Jenni. I am new to the saltwater aquarium world!! I have had my tank up and going for about two months. I have six damsels (my starter fish) 6 hermit crabs, and 12 snails (purchased, they have since multiplied).
Last Friday I bought a plant and when I put it in the tank two starfish emerged!! I am very excited about this, but not sure how to care for them.
I also have questions about another creature I have recently noticed in the tank. It is very long, pinkish in color, almost looks like a centipede, seems to be very shy, I've only seen it twice. Anyone know what that could be? I have tried looking it up on-line and I'm thinking maybe an eel??
Any info anyone has I would greatly appreciate, thanks!

 

hey there I'm new to it also...but it is probably a bristle worm...check out the forumns salt water sections...lots of great information there...is your tank also cycled???....U may want to check out aobut the nitrogen cycle also...good luck and welcome to the forum!!!!!

 

thanks Lori. I am in the middle of a cycle now. I will check out the worm section, thanks again!!

 

Sounds like a bristleworm to me also. About the stars, are they pretty small with skinny legs? Small brittle stars are common hitchhikers and harmless filter feeders. They don't need any special care. You might see some legs waving out of your live rock if that's what you have. They are quite adept at hiding.

Welcome to FL!

 

yeah they are super skinny with long legs, but one of them is already missing three legs?? The first day he had six long skinny legs and made his way around the glass of the aquarium before hiding out in the plant, two days later when I spotted him again he was only 3 legged. Maybe the worm ate them?

 

Hello zadorski. Welcome to the forum.

 

I think you guys are right it could be a worm, should I get rid of it immediately? The things I am finding on the web about bristleworms says they are not so good for the tank??

 

Bristleworms are actually good tank cleaners. Some people kinda freak out about them and want to get rid of them, but I just let them be.

BTW- DON'T touch one bare handed.