astrea starfish

Keybilly · Aug 23, 2013

What are you guys thoughts on the astrea starfish? I have heard that they won't hurt anything but I have also heard that they could potentially eat zoas. I was wondering if anyone here has had any issues with them eating their zoas? I have seen about 20 or so in my 210 gal that I counted last night. and I can pick them out when I see them, but I think picking them ALL out might be impossible because I have about 300 pounds of live rock and no matter how many I pick out I feel like there will always be some hiding. Should I bother trying to get rid of them or not really worry about it? I heard that harlequin shrimp will eat them but for me that's not an option because I have a very big hawk fish and a trigger.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

pam0630 · Aug 23, 2013

i have zoas and ive never had any problems with the starfish........the little white ones that are always all over the glass, correct.......

Keybilly · Aug 23, 2013

pam0630 said:
i have zoas and ive never had any problems with the starfish........the little white ones that are always all over the glass, correct.......

Yes, those are the ones I have. You could probably fit 4 of them on a penny... they are REALLY small.

pickupman66 · Aug 23, 2013

There are several types of them sarah. Some will eat Zoas, most wont. I have 100's of them in my tank, and I grow LOTS of zoas. never seen them near them.

Keybilly · Aug 23, 2013

pickupman66 said:
There are several types of them sarah. Some will eat Zoas, most wont. I have 100's of them in my tank, and I grow LOTS of zoas. never seen them near them.

Okay, so I guess I will just have to watch them.
This puts my mind at ease though, thank you.

180galreef · Aug 23, 2013

I HATE THEM!!!!! I lost a colony of armor of god to those ****things. I pull them out every chance I get and I am getting a couple harlequin shrimp to eat the ones I dont see. YES some will eat zoas and those are the ones I have!

Reefing Madness · Aug 23, 2013

I have quite a few in my tank, never seen them bother a thing.

Reef Fever · Aug 23, 2013

Astrea is the snail and asterina is the starfish FYI lol

Reefing Madness · Aug 23, 2013

We all understood where he was coming from.

nayrgaijin · Aug 23, 2013

Are they self regulating?
Example, leave the big ones alone and small ones will stop popping up?
Sounds weird, but it's something I read and am unsure of..

Reef Fever · Aug 23, 2013

Reefing Madness said:
We all understood where he was coming from.

I know, I was just informing him for future reference

NanaReefer · Aug 23, 2013

Seem's that it is the off white ones that are not reef safe. I have the white ones and the only thing I've ever seen them eat are green and coralline algae.