What is this Starfish

[HDPBumpas]

Hey people new to saltwater tanks and I have bought some live rock for mine a few days ago then this morning while checking the tank I saw some critters I have not seen before. What on earth are they and are they bad for my tank?

 

[Auquanut]

Asterina star.

 

[James M]

They are a 50/50 with coral. Just keep an eye on them

 

[HDPBumpas]

Asterina star.

That is kind of what I figured as well but are they as bad as people are saying that they are?

 

[Auquanut]

That is kind of what I figured as well but are they as bad as people are saying that they are?

I've read where people have had trouble with them bothering corals. Aparently there is more than one type, and some are worse than others. Your best bet is manual removal before their numbers get too high. They can reproduce quickly in a tank with a high bioload that gets fed heavily. I'm sure someone with more knowledge will chime in.

 

[motortrendz]

Asterina star. I have tons of them in my tank. I have never seen them hurt or damage a coral. I do cull them back a bit though when I start to see too many.

 

[ChiSox Rabbitfish]

Asterina star I've never had issues with them the bottom pic are green star polyps very easy to care for look awesome when they open fully but be aware if not kept in check they will spread like a weed and cover all the rock in your tank but other then that it is the ultimate beginner coral

 

[HDPBumpas]

Asterina star I've never had issues with them the bottom pic are green star polyps very easy to care for look awesome when they open fully but be aware if not kept in check they will spread like a weed and cover all the rock in your tank but other then that it is the ultimate beginner coral

Oh I am fine with that and thank you

 

[Softhammer]

Asterinas have never caused me trouble in nearly 20 years. Green star polyps have. They look undeniably cool but are virtually impossible to kill. If you like them understand you’re married to them and a lawyer can’t make them go away.

 

[AdamB]

Hey people new to saltwater tanks and I have bought some live rock for mine a few days ago then this morning while checking the tank I saw some critters I have not seen before. What on earth are they and are they bad for my tank?

Yes asternia star. There are several different varieties I think I usually saw them grazing on algae on glass.i never had issue with them feeding on coral. I went 3 or 4 of them to 30 or 40 pretty quickly though in my 90 gallon tank I began removing them to keep threshold low just in case .

 

[S2G]

I've never had a problem with them. I haven't seen enough proof on the eating coral deal. I like them tbh just part of the cuc as far as I'm concerned

 

[Softhammer]

Also if they get out of control, that justifies the purchase of a harlequin shrimp to eat them. The numbers though will ebb and flow. Just like anything they have a boom and bust cycle.

 

[HDPBumpas]

Also if they get out of control, that justifies the purchase of a harlequin shrimp to eat them. The numbers though will ebb and flow. Just like anything they have a boom and bust cycle.

Will one shrimp keep them in check I don't want them all dead just kept in line ya know?

 

[Softhammer]

Most likely eat them all and then die unless you supplement. It’s not a sustainable solution.

 

[HDPBumpas]

Most likely eat them all and then die unless you supplement. It’s not a sustainable solution.

Well balls that's sad