Got a ton of these

[Bob Escher]

got up in the middle Ipoh the night and saw 8 of these on the front glass
I see them all the time but normally only three or four spread around the tank
I hope they are fine
The picture is extreme close up. They are not the same some have one leg some havevtwo, three or four

 

[Caseyoidae]

Asterina starfish

 

[Ty Hamatake]

Looks like an asterina star. From what I've read, them being reef safe all depends on what type they are. Some munch on coral, some don't.

 

[Bob Escher]

Looks like an asterina star. From what I've read, them being reef safe all depends on what type they are. Some munch on coral, some don't.

Never see them anywhere on corals even at night only in the glass

 

[DSC reef]

Keep a close eye on them. If you have any palys or zoas, look to see if there wrapped around any polyps. I've got experience with both good and bad asterinas and side by side I can't tell them apart. They spread very fast as well. Most consume algae in the tank and coralline algae but keep an eye for the rogue ones.

 

[Bob Escher]

Yeah I started looking they have just exploded in the last week didn't see but one or two for months
But I looked pulled out fifteen All on the walls and and back but I think it will be harlequin shrimp time after I get figure out how to get my brittle star out of there

 

[DSC reef]

Bongo shrimp will eat them too. They look pretty evil, lol. Manual removal works as long as you stay on top of it.

 

[Bob Escher]

Bongo shrimp will eat them too. They look pretty evil, lol. Manual removal works as long as you stay on top of it.

Yeah everytime I see one it's gone got rid of 17 now that I know what they are they just sunddenly exploded to numbers

But I hope I can rid of them without resorting to trying to find my brittle star
To pull him out of the tank

 

[FlyinBryan]

Harlequin shrimp

 

[DSC reef]

Yeah everytime I see one it's gone got rid of 17 now that I know what they are they just sunddenly exploded to numbers

But I hope I can rid of them without resorting to trying to find my brittle star
To pull him out of the tank

I think you'll be fine with manual removal. The downside of adding either shrimp is eventually they'll have to be supplemented with starfish and then it's kind of a backwards situation. Lol.

 

[jsker]

Harlequins are really cool, but two things.
One, make sure the other inhabitants will not eat the shrimp.
Two after your asterina are gone you will need to have a couple of stars in the sump to cut legs off to feed the shrimp.

I have a warsse and he enjoyed the Harlequin I have had the asterina star in my system for over a year and no damage to the corals or Zoa's

 

[Bob Escher]

I think you'll be fine with manual removal. The downside of adding either shrimp is eventually they'll have to be supplemented with starfish and then it's kind of a backwards situation. Lol.

Thanks I'm going to do my best

 

[DSC reef]

This is what you need to look out for....

 

[Bob Escher]

This is what you need to look out for....

Yes that is what I have but they haven't bothered the two small groups of zoos that I have

 

[DSC reef]

The one that's wrapped around the whole polyp looks identical to the ones on the glass. That's what makes it frustrating. Time to dip the utter chaos rock....

 

[AdamNC]

I just siphon them out at water change time. Been doing it for a while now and it seems to help keep them under control.

 

[prsnlty]

Keep a close eye on them. If you have any palys or zoas, look to see if there wrapped around any polyps. I've got experience with both good and bad asterinas and side by side I can't tell them apart. They spread very fast as well. Most consume algae in the tank and coralline algae but keep an eye for the rogue ones.

+1 Same here. I removed my starfish and put a harlequin shrimp in my tank. 6 mo later the tank is completely free of them. Now I feed my shrimp. They break off their legs to create new asterina and spread very quickly. Mine bothered zoas...