ID , please

[CavalierReef]

These little guys came off in the coral dip today from a candy cane. They must be common as there were at least three on this coral but I haven't found the info. Appreciate your assistance.

 

[sfin52]

.Asterina star . Some species will eat coral. Almost impossible to determine the ones that will and will not. Best to remove all that are seen

 

[daybreaksky]

asterina star fish. some eat corals and some don't. no way to tell if these do they all look the same pretty much. not a huge threat like aiptasia

 

[CavalierReef]

Thank you so much for the ID sfin52 and daybreaksky. This is why I love this site. So many members willing to share their knowledge.

 

[sfin52]

Thank you so much for the ID sfin52 and daybreaksky. This is why I love this site. So many members willing to share their knowledge.

Your more than welcome. Thats what we are here for

 

[rkpetersen]

Most asterinas are totally safe, eating coralline algae.
Some have been witnessed to munch on zoas, although this seems to be quite rare.
If you can't remove them all by hand, but really want them gone, you can get one or two Harlequin shrimp, which will hunt them all down and eat them (and then starve, unless you buy them feeder stars.)