Lovely Astrenia Star!

[NanaReefer]

Beautiful and the biggest one I've yet to see in my tank

 

[nawilson89]

Very pretty. I saw one like that in my tank a few weeks ago. Actually I can see him now, but my camera isn't good enough to grab a pic on a rock.

 

[TarHeelReefer22]

I always feel so bad for these guys b/c you see them all the time broken and torn and it seems that every fish in the world and invert just eats or messes with these guys. I guess it is somewhat of a good thing or our tanks would be covered in them.

 

[CivicDemon]

Remove him quick and look for more and remove them I started just like that and pulled one out next thing I know bam there everywhere and now I have 2 harliquins to kill them.

 

[Eienna]

Remove him quick and look for more and remove them I started just like that and pulled one out next thing I know bam there everywhere and now I have 2 harliquins to kill them.

They're usually basically harmless though, as long as you don't mind losing a great deal of coralline algae.

 

[zoalover]

Just curious...has anyone ever had their asternia snail eating their zoas?

 

[CivicDemon]

I haven't seen them eat my zoas per say but the one rock that I had covered in zoas has ben diminishing a bit, PLus trust me they get way out of control and in my tank they completely got rid of all my coralline. I hate these little things with a passion. I also did some research and read that its provable that after they are done with there food sorce they can go rouge and start eating corals. So for me I want them out asap. Everytime I do a water change I suck as meny out as I can to help the harlequin shrimp in removing them.

 

[NanaReefer]

They (totally white ones) have been living happily in my tank for 3yrs now I have never had an issue with them eating anything but green algae, red turf algae and coralline algae.
I believe if you are keeping an extra clean tank where their natural food is unavailable then they will eat what's available to survive.
Obviously I have plenty natural food-lol. Look at all the pretty purple rock, lots of Zoa's too

 

[ReefPiracy]

Ive heard some types can kill coral. Will eat sps and zoo/paly but never had it in my tank.

 

[Tahoe61]

They (totally white ones) have been living happily in my tank for 3yrs now I have never had an issue with them eating anything but green algae, red turf algae and coralline algae.
I believe if you are keeping an extra clean tank where their natural food is unavailable then they will eat what's available to survive.
Obviously I have plenty natural food-lol. Look at all the pretty purple rock, lots of Zoa's too

Nana this is simply not true. Asterina do not become coral eaters because someones tank is too clean. You profess to have researched them so you must be aware that there are hundreds (if not more) different types and you can not dictate the eating habits of all based on the one type you have. Opportunistic eating may take place to some degree but your trying to explain away the fact that some types do eat coral because you like the starfish. This is your experience with one type of Asterina, you need to have a larger sample base to make blanket statements about the whole.

 

[msp307]

Blue ones Will kill everything

 

[TarHeelReefer22]

I know longer feel bad for them and they are going to be evicted on sight!

 

[russo36]

As per my understanding and research the white ones are pretty harmless..., I believe the grayish or brown ones are bad for corals

 

[CivicDemon]

You must not have that many then, im seriouse mine have wiped out most all of my coroline algae. To the point where I hate the freken things.

 

[NanaReefer]

Nana this is simply not true. Asterina do not become coral eaters because someones tank is too clean. You profess to have researched them so you must be aware that there are hundreds (if not more) different types and you can not dictate the eating habits of all based on the one type you have. Opportunistic eating may take place to some degree but your trying to explain away the fact that some types do eat coral because you like the starfish. This is your experience with one type of Asterina, you need to have a larger sample base to make blanket statements about the whole.

Please read the entire thread! I speak ONLY of the white Astrenia Star Fish & MY personal experience with them. No where near a blanket statement. I also said "I believe" otherwise JMO!
Where I got my research info on Astrenia Star Fish from is here. So yes I do know a little bit about certain types/species of Asterina Star Fish. I was only talking about "The White Ones" remember?
http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchstars.html

 

[RKLion]

They do eat weak zoas..I dont like them in my zoa tank but in main tank they are good I think

 

[NanaReefer]

You must not have that many then, im seriouse mine have wiped out most all of my coroline algae. To the point where I hate the freken things.

I haven't actually counted but I have plenty I've seen the little white spots they leave behind after munching on the coralline but it grows back quick.