Need Starfish ID

[magicstix]

I saw this guy cruising the rock the other night after lights out. He's about 1.5-2 inches across and looks like your stereotypical starfish. I'm assuming he came in on my Florida aquacultured live rock since none of my coral frags have been big enough to hide something like this.

 

[ndrwater]

Asternia is what 99% of reefers call them.
Some members of the Asternia family eat algae
Some eat Coral, hard if not d@mn near impossible to determine which is which.
Reproduce quickly, and can be a nusance. I'd suggest removal.

 

[aquariafreak]

I've never had a problem with asternias... I had them in both my 90 gal and my 10 gal nano. It's up to you, like he said some do eat coral.... I'd say keep them but it's up to you

 

[Brogratz]

Some can eat coral but they seem to be super uncommon. If you see a few you likely have hundreds. I put in a harlequin and thought I had one or two well they covered the glass not completely but pretty fast. The harlequin killed them all now, but unless you want no starfish don't get one . I like my shrimp lol

 

[magicstix]

Well this one is way bigger than the asterinas you get on your glass. It kinda looks like a miniature red chocolate chip starfish. If I see it again I'll probably pull it out. I've been trying to find a resource on all the starfish species in the Gulf of Mexico, but haven't come up with anything that matches this guy.

 

[ReefMaster101]

asternia star.