New friend? Or not??

[Marinenewbie]

Hi. I woke up this morning to find a tiny new member of our tank. I have read about Astrid? Starfish, but I would like some expert opinion from anyone who has kept one as a pet because my daughter really wanted us to get a starfish for the tank anyway and it is super cute but I don’t want to be infested with them either. Thanks

 

[mcbdz]

yes, that is an Asterina star. You can try and ID by color on other side. Some people remove them. So far I have always kept them and they haven't bothered any of my corals. You'll get a big debate on good or bad. I count mine as cuc.

 

[Waters]

As stated, some remove them...others keep them. I have never had any issues with them other than they multiple like crazy by dropping arms. If you see one, you have 10

 

[Phil D.]

Asterina Starfish, seeing it's on the glass is a good indication it's an algae eater. I had HUNDREDS of the little buggers taking care of the algae in my tank, but got to be too many. So, bought a Harlequin Shrimp and she's taking care of them.

 

[ScottR]

Asterina stars are friendly. Some say they eat coralline and some say zoas. I’ve never seen or noticed any losses due to them. But they do become unsightly as your tank ages.

 

[Marinenewbie]

yes, that is an Asterina star. You can try and ID by color on other side. Some people remove them. So far I have always kept them and they haven't bothered any of my corals. You'll get a big debate on good or bad. I count mine as cuc.

That’s cool. How many would you say you have now?

 

[Waters]

I was always able to keep them in check by manual removal of any I see on the glass once I did a water change (which would be 10-20 weekly). I had a semi-predator tank so they were my primary CUC.

 

[mcbdz]

That’s cool. How many would you say you have now?

My tank is fixing to be 2 yrs and just now seeing about 10 on glass at night occationally. I do remember having swarms of them in my 55gal years ago that was started with all real liverock. Not sure but my wrasse has picke dthem off glass and dropped them occationally so he may be keeping them in check somehow?

 

[Marinenewbie]

My tank is fixing to be 2 yrs and just now seeing about 10 on glass at night occationally. I do remember having swarms of them in my 55gal years ago that was started with all real liverock. Not sure but my wrasse has picke dthem off glass and dropped them occationally so he may be keeping them in check somehow?

Ok thanks

 

[vetteguy53081]

not to be trusted.
I had one eat almost an entire colony of BamBam Zoa. They multiply like mice also.

 

[Marinenewbie]

not to be trusted.
I had one eat almost an entire colony of BamBam Zoa. They multiply like mice also.

Lol. Good to know. Well I had one but now I can’t even find it so guess I will wait and see how it goes.

 

[Marinenewbie]

yes, that is an Asterina star. You can try and ID by color on other side. Some people remove them. So far I have always kept them and they haven't bothered any of my corals. You'll get a big debate on good or bad. I count mine as cuc.

I have a pic from the top now. Seems to have some dark spots on it? Anyone know what kind?