How can I kill star polyps

James w Lewis · Nov 17, 2015

I liked them at one time now they are everywhere taking over everything like weeds. How can I kill them without killing the other things in the tank.

vic5hands · Nov 17, 2015

They multiply rapidly. If you try to break them off. They come back ..good luck

drstratton · Nov 17, 2015

vic5hands said:
Harlequin shrimp will do the trick. The only problem is they will eat all your starfish and die when there's no more to eat.

I'm sorry, but don't Harlequin shrimp only eat starfish! I don't think that they will eat coral! I think the OP is talking about GSP, but I could be wrong, it's been known to happen!

DanConnor · Nov 18, 2015

I used to shade encroaching encrustings with big clam shells.

TheEngineer · Nov 19, 2015

GSP is really hard to beat back. That stuff will just grow out of anywhere even if you cover it. You can go after it like aptasia with kalk paste, but that's going to be quite a process and you will need to do it over a long period of time.

Platehead · Nov 19, 2015

time to find new rock

143MPCo · Nov 19, 2015

I'm no expert on Fenbendazole ( @twilliard ) but it has been reported to work on green star polyps.

Blog Post:
"For those wanting to eliminate invasive soft corals from their tanks; I can report that I successfully eradicated Blue Clove Polyps and Xenia from my tank using the canine de-wormer medication Fenbendazole (without harming my biological filter or killing invertebrates – minus Bristle worms and certain snail types). I think depending on the dosage and treatment time, this should kill the above mentioned corals, plus green star polyps, hydroids and aiptasia. Hopefully more experienced aquarists will provide their input on using Fenbendazole and the risks involved."

twilliard · Nov 19, 2015

Fenbendazol will absolutely wipe a tank out of GSP's
It is used in the same way as treating for Digitate hydroids.
I have a write up on it here
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/here-it-is-fenbendazol-use-against-hydroids.214950/
If you have any questions please feel free to ask.
Also I have found a product that is much cheaper than Safegaurd so no separating needed.

Clayalaleona · Nov 19, 2015

Star polyp nudi

riverview reefer · Nov 20, 2015

I have learned that if you have a living reef you might as well call it your yard. So you have to keep things where you want them and make sure they don't reappear anywhere else. I use a toothbrush and just scrub them off the rock. Mind you this is more of a maintenance thing than a whole tank thing. For a whole tank you might want to look at new rock.

Rotten2thecore · Nov 20, 2015

Would taking out the rock and pouring boiling hot water over the GSP section you want gone work? (Caution while doing this as some corals release toxic vapors when hated).

Pete polyp · Nov 20, 2015

Kalk paste will probably take care of them

geaston · Nov 20, 2015

I actually had an Emerald Crab that ate all of mine. It was a love/hate thing with GSP. They look great in flow but absolutely engulf everything. This is actually more common then people think with Emerald Crabs eating this stuff in a tank. He never did touch any of my blue cloves or zoas in the tank. I also saw him pull a 4 inch bristle worm out of a rock and eat it. Between him and my coral banded I have no bristle worms either. Long story short try an Emerald! Hope this helps.

BrianGriff · Nov 20, 2015

I'm jealous I can't get anything to grow, my xenias and GSP are still practically the same after months of having them. I want them to take over the tank, but they are just there.

WetWhistle · Nov 20, 2015

A course plastic or metal brush works great and scrub the crap out of them. They don't take to damage of the main body and polyps very well. A lot of the time if you damage the polyps itself with the brush the fibrous mat that connects all the polyps breaks down. Sometimes you might have to do it a few times but it works.