I think I have a tiny mysterious starfish.

[Jojo92]

Very small. Don’t know where it came from lol

 

[ReeferWarrant]

Probably Asterina, different opinions on them. They eat coraline algae and sometimes leach onto zoas.

 

[fishguy242]

hi asterina,would manually remove as seen,multiply like rabbits

 

[xxkenny90xx]

hi asterina,would manually remove as seen,multiply like rabbits

Yep I agree. Those things are evil. They'll be great inhabitants for years and then one day break your heart by eating your favorite zoas

 

[Jojo92]

Yep I agree. Those things are evil. They'll be great inhabitants for years and then one day break your heart by eating your favorite zoas

Well that was some short lived excitement. Lol, I took him out. I was hoping he’d have been cool though lol

 

[Tamberav]

I have had them for years, and I have a rock covered in zoa's and they have never bothered them. They do a good job eating film algae for me. Their numbers don't seem to get out of hand, maybe the wrasse's munch on them. No idea.

There are many kinds of asterina stars, some good and some bad. Mine have never been bad and they are cute Nice CUC member for me.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

I have had them for years, and I have a rock covered in zoa's and they have never bothered them. They do a good job eating film algae for me. Their numbers don't seem to get out of hand, maybe the wrasse's munch on them. No idea.

There are many kinds of asterina stars, some good and some bad. Mine have never been bad and they are cute Nice CUC member for me.

I thought the same thing for a long time. Even argued with people about it. But after having them for maybe 7 yrs they turned on me

 

[Biglew11]

I haven't had any problems with mine yet. Probably have over 100.

 

[danieyella]

Mine were fine, until they weren't. I've been watching for a harlequin to rent recently

 

[Tamberav]

I thought the same thing for a long time. Even argued with people about it. But after having them for maybe 7 yrs they turned on me

I have had them over 10 years now as I have kept the same live rock forever. They have actually been really helpful when I mess up and an acro starts to STN. They clean all the algae off the dead/dying parts but don't harm whats still living. Then the coral can recover and grow over the dead part since the algae doesn't get a chance to take hold.

Your mileage may vary.

 

[Paul B]

I also have hundreds and have for decades. I never saw a problem with them and I like them.

 

[Jojo92]

I’ve decided to put him back in for now and see lol. I have kinda wanted a star fish, if he ends up not working out maybe I can find someone to take him.

 

[sawdonkey]

I have thousands of them and hate them. They definitely eat zoas. The also get all over my glass and are just a blight. The population tends to dwindle or grow with nutrients. I would get a harlequin, but my pink face wrasse and two triggers won’t allow that.

 

[Double monti 61]

I agree with Tamberav

 

[ReeferWarrant]

@Jojo92 you won’t find anyone to take them, just be on the look out for them in the flesh of your Zoas if you get any. It’s not detrimental in my experience. I just pluck them when I see them now.

 

[vetteguy53081]

If youre planning on having zoa in tank, id remove now before you face an infestation of them

 

[Pistondog]

Had maybe a 100 in my 75g, didn't bother anyone, but a lot of coralline for them to eat. Got a harlequin. 3 mos later no asterinas.
Got some starfish and cut off a leg for the harly, he's carrying it around and eating it.
Cool shrimp, very alien.

 

[ScubaFish802]

Seem some horror stories on here before with these. I had one come in on a snail and thought about keeping it since they are cool looking. But after seeing more pics took It out before it could spread.

 

[Jojo92]

I think maybe I am getting coralline algae? But orange? I just took the star out again, I was sufficiently worried, lol but is that what this orange stuff is growing on my rocks?

 

[Bob Wiley]

just looks like the beginning of diatoms