Asterina plague

eleet · Jan 4, 2017

This is what I pulled off my glass this morning. I pull them out daily. My harlequins can't keep up. The stars are nibbling on my corals. Anyone have any other suggestions before I nuke the tank?

Nihilus · Jan 4, 2017

Wow! Are you removing them by hand or are you siphoning them out one by one? As long as you stick with it you will beat them given time. I did.

jenreefer · Jan 4, 2017

I have read that the dark ones are the bad ones. looks like you need more shrimp indeed. sorry for your plague. I hate the little buggers.

They are on my list of "never in my tank" species.

eleet · Jan 4, 2017

Nihilus said:
Wow! Are you removing them by hand or are you siphoning them out one by one? As long as you stick with it you will beat them given time. I did.

Both. It's absolutely insane.

eleet · Jan 4, 2017

jenreefer said:
I have read that the dark ones are the bad ones. looks like you need more shrimp indeed. sorry for your plague. I hate the little buggers.

They are on my list of "never in my tank" species.

I can tell you from experience that the dark ones are worse, but the light ones quickly figure out what's good to snack on. Digitata and setosa are the current favorite. Waiting patiently for my lfs to get more harlequins. It's a bad time of year to find them.

Tom Blevins · Jan 4, 2017

Wow, the Harlequin are doing there job and this is why the stars are running to the top of
the tank just keep netting out the ones on the top and you will have it under control before you
know it.

prsnlty · Jan 4, 2017

Tom Blevins said:
Wow, the Harlequin are doing there job and this is why the stars are running to the top of
the tank just keep netting out the ones on the top and you will have it under control before you
know it.

+1! I have 1 harlequin in a 180g and had just as many stars (the dark ones) my tank is now under control. Tom is spot on

Daniel@R2R · Jan 4, 2017

WOW! That's WITH a harlequin? Crazy!! I had a similar issue, but once I added the harlequin it gradually came under control.

eleet · Jan 4, 2017

I've never seen anything like this. My poor corals are getting feasted on

JaimeAdams · Jan 4, 2017

I think I saw one or two harleys at The Reef Gallery this afternoon. It took a long time to get my asterinas under control. I have a male harlequin that I would let you borrow

Reefster · Jan 4, 2017

Wow...when I seen the title I was going to say "Join the club", but that's what you call a true infestation!

mdlc805 · Jan 4, 2017

Wow I noticed 1 in my system not to long ago and I didn't think much of it. I'm going to take the little dude out wouldn't want this to happen to me. Good luck with finding more shrimp.

tj w · Jan 4, 2017

Eleet, I feel for you with this issue for sure. My tank is getting quite a few of them as well. Also, they have ate some corals too. There was another thread I got hammered on for saying they ate coral. Good luck with getting more shrimp!

eleet · Jan 4, 2017

tj w said:
Eleet, I feel for you with this issue for sure. My tank is getting quite a few of them as well. Also, they have ate some corals too. There was another thread I got hammered on for saying they ate coral. Good luck with getting more shrimp!

Well my corals say otherwise. Digitata and setosa are the current favorite.

Ocean Lotion · Jan 4, 2017

eleet said:
Well my corals say otherwise. Digitata and setosa are the current favorite.

I have had them in my tank a couple years. I lost my digital and sensa also. Thought it was to stn. Maybe not. I like that they keep my glass coralife free. Guess it is time to order a harlequin shrimp.

eleet · Jan 4, 2017

Ocean Lotion said:
I have had them in my tank a couple years. I lost my digital and sensa also. Thought it was to stn. Maybe not. I like that they keep my glass coralife free. Guess it is time to order a harlequin shrimp.

This tank is sps dominant. So far the only corals affected are digitata and setosa. Across are fine, lps is fine. Actually, encrusting and spongodes are fine. Apparently they have an acquired taste.

JaimeAdams · Jan 5, 2017

Mine liked mushrooms and zoanthids.

Tom Blevins · Jan 5, 2017

eleet said:
This tank is sps dominant. So far the only corals affected are digitata and setosa. Across are fine, lps is fine. Actually, encrusting and spongodes are fine. Apparently they have an acquired taste.

I would give it time and at least they are low dollar corals they like we all love, if they die I can help out with a 2" chunk & digi I can replace with a Bubble gum Digi if you like?

Tom P.S. don't get stressed out, we have a large family here for all your needs!

Regards
Tom

Big E · Jan 5, 2017

Nordoa Starfish will eat them and the asternia can't escape. The Nordoa is faster at eradicating them but you will still run into the same problem like harlequin shrimp.............they will starve without a steady diet of the stars.

eleet · Jan 5, 2017

Tom Blevins said:
I would give it time and at least they are low dollar corals they like we all love, if they die I can help out with a 2" chunk & digi I can replace with a Bubble gum Digi if you like?

Tom P.S. don't get stressed out, we have a large family here for all your needs!

Regards
Tom

I would love that! And very true. If they were going after my higher dollar corals I would be very upset.