.... and the saga CONTINUES

[ZoWhat]

What is this dang thing circled in RED in the pic below?

....some kind of asterina star, right?

Does it do this kind of damage?

 

[-Logzor]

Correct, asterina star, does not typically do that kind of damage to LPS.

 

[ZoWhat]

the only other thing i've seem remotely close to this lobo is a particular Scarlet Reef Hermit who like to sometimes climb on it and sleep. that hermit is no longer with us as of yesterday as i'm removing all suspects

 

[Reefing Madness]

Yup, Asterina. You need to get that one outta there, he may be part of the issue. Can't tell if he's got any color to him or not.

 

[Darren]

I can tell you for a fact if those gray astrenias's (sp?) cross over zoas / palys the polyp will die. I have watched it happen in my tank. People will argue but I would get them out each time you see one...

 

[shawy2510]

Any asterinas I would remove as some tend to eat zoas.

 

[Funbags]

I would get them out just to be safe, but I dont think they are the issue. Can you see the tube feet coming out at all to confirm they are a asterina? I would logically think if it was the star it would start at the edge of the coral not the center.

 

[Djtonton]

I can tell you for a fact if those gray astrenias's (sp?) cross over zoas / palys the polyp will die. I have watched it happen in my tank. People will argue but I would get them out each time you see one...

I agree 100% they are destroying my tank got a Harlequin shrimp in there but they reproduce soooo fast

 

[Eienna]

The completely white ones appear to be reef-safe, but any with color should be removed immediately.

 

[ReefMadScientist]

I had TONS of those pesky star fish and got myself a Harlequin Shrimp. I would guess i had over 500 of them reproducing like crazy. 2 months later…not one visible

They will suck the life out of your zoas and bother all other corals.

 

[Valgae]

Send them to me! Just got a harlequin. Lol.

 

[Tab28]

I have has these in my tank for years. I always seen them on my glass and on corals. Figured they were grazing on the algae on plugs. I started noticing a number of my chalices looked bleached in spots. When i saw one on a watermelon i picked it off and right underneath it was that same bleached look. It seems they scrape the top layer of flesh off the coral. Guess eating the zooxanthellae leaving in essences the bleached look.