Please help in ID my little star

[arturoo1977]

Hi all, few days ago I bought some CUC members, turbo snails, and one got a free bonus as this star appear soon after.
Is this a “good” or a “bad” one?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Asterina

 

[arturoo1977]

Im watching at very disturbing pics of asterinas infestations...
Should I remove it?

 

[Crabs McJones]

You can if youd like. They can repopulate very quickly if not kept in check

 

[ahiggins]

I personally hate them. I had some that liked to munch on zoas but there are some that don’t. IMO remove it and you don’t have to worry about it

 

[Phildago]

The almighty feared asterina. I personally like them, no complaints of misbehavior here

 

[DSC reef]

I vote remove, they are all cool to look at until one day they over populate your tank and eat zoas. Unfortunately there's no telling good from bad so it's at your own risk. I'm pro biodiversity but having knowledge about what is a possibility is not almighty fear.

 

[bdesign]

I have maybe 4 (that I ever see at once) in my 60G that’s been up for a little over a year... no issues or overpopulation yet.

 

[cidermaster]

I’ve had many different tanks with these guys in them always left unchecked until that wasn’t the case anymore .. I literally would laugh at all the drama people would create over these but I hate to say it the were correct . A couple weeks ago i noticed a star munching away at my zoas and have been steadily pulling them out every day since .
My vote is to pull everyone you see !!!
2-3 weeks ago my vote was to keep them they are cool to look at ..
hope this helps

 

[arturoo1977]

Thanks all. I decided to take it out just in case. my daugthers began to ask immediately but “I dont know, I didn’t saw anything...”
sorry little star.
Now Im dealing with a Mantis shrimp that discovered yesterday.
Surprises never end...LOL

 

[Tahoe61]

There are hundreds of different types of Asternia. Marine biologists have difficulty telling one from another. Some may also become opportunistic feeders in an aquarium environment.

 

[Brittany Marie]

When I transferred tanks a few months ago I noticed like 3 now it seems like there’s hundreds. I pulled out close to 30 the other night and only from the top few inches of the tank. I don’t know if they’re what’s putting little holes in my GSP but they’re coming out since I’m not 100% sure. I hate to kill them but can’t risk infestation. But I am keeping them, just in a container and drying them out for my curiosity cabinet