Starfish? In live rock.

[jamiegould174]

Hello!

We’ve had out reef tank up and running for about 4 weeks when I noticed and odd shape in our coral sand. Can anyone identify what it is? I think it’s a kind of star fish but could be completely wrong.

Thank you,
Jamie

 

[KrisReef]

could be an astarina starfish that has had it's arms nibbled on?

 

[ASIN28]

Asterina starfish. Remove otherwise you will have an infestation in your tank and they eat coral. If it becomes out of hand pick up a harlequin shrimp or two they will wipe them out for you

 

[littlefoxx]

could be an astarina starfish that has had it's arms nibbled on?

Second the astrina star

 

[BanZI29]

Astarina star fish. the are harmless but can multiply quickly. decent CUC thou.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello!

We’ve had out reef tank up and running for about 4 weeks when I noticed and odd shape in our coral sand. Can anyone identify what it is? I think it’s a kind of star fish but could be completely wrong.

Thank you,
Jamie

These are Pesty asterina stars which multiply like mice and end up in sumps, intakes, eat zoas and just a nuisance. While they eat some algae, they reproduce faster than algae accumulates.

 

[jamiegould174]

could be an astarina starfish that has had it's arms nibbled on?

I thought something must've had a little nibble! Thank you!

 

[jamiegould174]

Asterina starfish. Remove otherwise you will have an infestation in your tank and they eat coral. If it becomes out of hand pick up a harlequin shrimp or two they will wipe them out for you

Thank you!

 

[jamiegould174]

Second the astrina star

Thank you!

 

[jamiegould174]

Astarina star fish. the are harmless but can multiply quickly. decent CUC thou.

Thank you!

 

[jamiegould174]

These are Pesty asterina stars which multiply like mice and end up in sumps, intakes, eat zoas and just a nuisance. While they eat some algae, they reproduce faster than algae accumulates.

Thank you!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thank you!

This is what I have pulled out by hand the last week- They are starting to this out as once again , they started on my BamBam zoa colony

 

[Ben's Pico Reefing]

As everyone said asterina starfish. There are several sub species and only certain ones eat corals. Majority in tanks are harmless but because there are so many tanks, the coral munchers do end up in systems abd even good ones can go rogue like anything. Certain shrimp can be used to keep in control depending if you want to keep a few asterina for algae control as well. Bongo shrimp come to mind. I heard bumble bee (but dont quote me). Harlequin are larger and will require supplemental starfish feeding later on.

 

[jamiegould174]

As everyone said asterina starfish. There are several sub species and only certain ones eat corals. Majority in tanks are harmless but because there are so many tanks, the coral munchers do end up in systems abd even good ones can go rogue like anything. Certain shrimp can be used to keep in control depending if you want to keep a few asterina for algae control as well. Bongo shrimp come to mind. I heard bumble bee (but dont quote me). Harlequin are larger and will require supplemental starfish feeding later on.

Thank you!