asterina starfish

[RoscoPColtrane]

I have hundreds of these starfish in my aquarium, in fact during water changes I made the effort not to throw them away. They are interesting to see on the glass and I figured if anything they would eat algea. I just introduced some zoanthids and noticed a starfish on top of one of the polyps... the polyp is now gone and the starfish is in the toilet.

My question is should I gradually remove the starfish? Is there any benefit to keeping them? I have kept many different corals but have never succeeded with green star polyps or zoanthids and am starting to wonder if it is related...

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

several species of Asterina exist.

In addition, they all appear very similar. Not only that, but any Asterina that's really hungry might eat anything. They can become omnivorous.
I've seen them attack and eat perfectly healthy corals. In fact, they can show a marked preference for certain species of corals.

Hundreds of Asterina aren't a desirable thing IMO.

Perhaps it's time to make arrangements to send a lot of them on a permanenet vacation :beachbum:

 

[tropills]

+1, get a harlequin shrimp if your tank will allow one.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

several species of Wrasses will take Asterina.

Halichoeres are a good choice.

 

[5380]

I recently had to deal with these myself - I have a harlequin that is ready for greener pastures or he's getting traded back to the store.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

sounds like a match made in heaven unfolding before our very eyes :fun4:

 

[RoscoPColtrane]

Thanks for the replies. Perhaps taking care of them now is a good idea. I'm moving/upgrading to a new tank this summer and would like to start out on the correct path.

5380 send me a PM if you would like to work something out with the Harlequin...

 

[padova335i]

well good thing for the search botton..... i just found one that ate a rasta.. it was fine last nite, and i found a star on it today:mad2: goin to have to do something w these stars:idea:

 

[wetbehindears]

They suck remove stat I had a bunch eat some of my red people eater polyps

 

[Newreeflady]

glad I found your thread- I had no idea these were bad! I have a few, not in scary numbers, but I will make the effort to remove them if the puffer doesn't eat them when introduced. Thanks!

 

[tmz]

Some can be coralivores. Most are not but can when in plague proportions irritate coral and keep them closed which is bad for them.
A small siphon made from airline tubing with a 12 inch of so length of rigid airline tube on the end sucks em up very efficiently. Easiest time to get them is just before the lights go on as they are out and about. The small siphon minimizes the water you pull out . Once the asteria are removed from it the water can be put back in the tank if you wish.

 

[tent boy]

What is plague proportions? Approx how many per gallon?