Asterina Starfish?

huckjai · Nov 28, 2019

Hi Reefers. I purchased some snails and 2 cleaner shrimp yesterday from the lfs. Just got home and saw this guy on my glass. Pretty sure it is an asterina starfish. Could it have hitch hiked?

I personally like how they look, but have read some ppl view them as pests

What are your thoughts on them? Keep or remove?

Retro Reefer · Nov 28, 2019

They are hit and miss on eating your corals, I had some that destroyed a bunch of zoanthids so anytime I see one I pull it. just be aware they multiple extremely fast!

lapin · Nov 28, 2019

My ipinion:
I have some in my tank. They do not bother anything I have. I have never had them multiply to the point they harm corals in a tank. I dont try to remove them.

Westoncase · Nov 28, 2019

no picture? I think the whiter ones are less bad but the darker colored ones feast on zoas

huckjai · Nov 28, 2019

Oops. Just attached. Don't have any corals at the moment. Just 2 clowns in the DT. Firefish and Goby to be added next week sometime. Followed by a gramma and a blenny.

Mr Fishface · Nov 28, 2019

I have them all over in my tank, dark and light colors both, never had issues with them eating corals. They do multiply fast but it's never been an issue. I've had them around 3 almost 4 years now. I like them and the wife likes them.

DSC reef · Nov 28, 2019

IMO I would remove. To many types of asterina to determine which are good or bad including different colors. Experienced colonies being demolished by different color asterinas. Due to them multiplying very fast no more chances were taken.

HB AL · Nov 28, 2019

They will for sure consume the coraline algae.

blstravler · Nov 28, 2019

If you have a lot and want to sell some let me know. My Harlequins love them

Phildago · Nov 28, 2019

I like mine. I have quite a few, and although I've heard they can eat zoas, I have never seen them near my zoas.

I think they're a nice addition to my tank personally, and if they ever got out of hand I could get myself a nice harlequin shrimp.