Found these eating my Dragon Zoas

[Reef.ductionist]

Hello I found these two critters eating my Dragon zoos for lunch. Any else found these? Anyone know what they are?

 

[Rob.D]

Asterina starfish.

 

[NanaReefer]

^^What he said.

 

[Legendary Corals]

They are now harlequin lunch.

 

[Reef.ductionist]

Ok thanks

 

[csjoekim]

I have those allover my tank with full of zoas and palys.
It seems to me they only bother unhealthy zoas and palys.
I've never seen they had eaten up whole zoas and palys.

 

[joshporksandwich]

I have those allover my tank with full of zoas and palys.
It seems to me they only bother unhealthy zoas and palys.
I've never seen they had eaten up whole zoas and palys.

They are scavengers just like pods and if you have any hurt zoa they will eat it the problem is sometimes they keep eating and hurt the whole colony

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

There are multiple theories about these guys. Some propose that there are actually multiple different types...some eat corals, and some don't...problem is they all look pretty much the same. Some think they usually eat detritus but will eat corals if they can't find enough food. I say whatever the issue, I DON'T WANT THEM! I bought a Harlequin shrimp to end my issues.

 

[650-IS350]

Asterina stars, when in doubt, throw them out. rather not risk your collection being expensive meal. With the cost of corals now a days would you take that risk.

 

[FLipp]

toss them

 

[Jimbo662]

I've heard the white ones don't eat corals but the dark ones like that do. I've got white ones all over the tank and they never bother anything.

 

[Reef.ductionist]

Thanks for the replies folks.

I tossed three and then saw another but it was next to the Zoas so waited until it moved. Now have three zoas(Dragon Eyes)
So I am keeping a really close watch on them.
If I catch another Asteria on one of them guess I'll just post the pic for posterity and remove it / maybe place some plastic over them or something to protect them dunno.
Cheers