good or bad star?

[saycheessee]

Can anyone tell me what this star is and is it good or bad? This is the first time I have seen it and tanks been set up over 1 1/2 years. Nothing added new in last 6 months.

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also... what is the white spots on these? the ones that are closed up on the top. Are they flatworms? OMG i'm terrified about getting flatworms.

 

[DMBillies]

First pic is an asterina star (http://www.wetwebmedia.com/asterinafaqs.htm).

I have a bunch of these in all of my tanks and have never seen or had any type of trouble with them. In my opinion, likely a positive addition to the mini-ecosystem. You'll read of people seeing them "eating" coral, but I think it is generally agreed that they don't (other than possibly helping to clean up already dying tissue). If you have one, you probably have a ton more, and if you aren't noticing any specific problems I would let it be.

Second pic isn't really good enough to ID. Although it may be a flatworm, I think you'd be more likely to see those popping up on the glass and rock structure than only bothering a couple of zoa polyps. If it looks like this (or if it has the same body stucture, but is yellow with a red spot on it), then you've got yourself a flatworm. Are the spots actually moving around on the polyps at all?

 

[waynesworld]

Brian I just looked at your link and saw someone had them on e-bay I think I may list some but I thaught I may list them here first sence you id them. I will post the priceing later got to go to lunch

 

[saycheessee]

if they are flatworms... what do you do to get rid of them?
They aren't moving from polyp to polyp.. but just these few for the last 3 days... i see sometype of possible algea or a string of some type next to one of the polyps.. thought maybe it was irritating them. Would that be the case?

 

[RevHtree]

That is not flatworms. It is Zoapox...

http://www.zoaid.com/articles004.php

Don't get too stressed. I had it hit one frag and I isolated and kept the water nice and stable and it left in a matter of days. It can spread though so be careful.

 

[Fanof49ASU]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11605832#post11605832 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RevHtree
That is not flatworms. It is Zoapox...

http://www.zoaid.com/articles004.php

Don't get too stressed. I had it hit one frag and I isolated and kept the water nice and stable and it left in a matter of days. It can spread though so be careful.

I thought that might be zoa pox, but I was scared to speculate. You're a much better judge of that than me.

 

[waynesworld]

oh I am soo full well on the price for the stars is $1 each or 6 for $5 or free if you come pick those little things out of my tank I gotts lotts.

 

[Highside]

Zoa pox is going to be the least of your worries, those star polyps will kill off those zoas. More than likely stressing out the zoas right now leading to zoa pox.

 

[Mikeyjer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11607194#post11607194 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Highside
Zoa pox is going to be the least of your worries, those star polyps will kill off those zoas. More than likely stressing out the zoas right now leading to zoa pox.

I have to agree with this one.....Star Polyps will kill off your zoo colonies.....I've had that happen before......

 

[Fanof49ASU]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11607194#post11607194 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Highside
Zoa pox is going to be the least of your worries, those star polyps will kill off those zoas. More than likely stressing out the zoas right now leading to zoa pox.

Asterina stars eat zoas?

 

[gflat65]

Ramp up waterchanges a little, make sure it isn't getting too hot, and change your carbon if it is not new. All 100% anecdotal, but has worked for me every time. I've had it at least three times with numerous frags and colonies affected each time (seemed to spread). All three times for me, the tank had been getting hotter and/or I hadn't done a water change in a long time.

 

[saycheessee]

i had a pump go out about 3 weeks ago.. and my water got a little warmer then than it should have been. around 79 at one time that I noticed. I just put new carbon in about 1 week ago. I try to change my carbon each month (I use chemi pure) is that ok? I also do a 1/4 to 1/3 water change each week at least ever 10 days. What else should I be doing?

 

[gsusfreak]

wait?....you're keep the temp lower than that?.....79 is where you want it to be at( or really really close)

 

[saycheessee]

I always have kept mine at around 76-77 degrees...