Good vs bad Asternia

[dg13]

Hi - how do you know if an Asternia starfish is good or bad? I saw on on a zoa polyp and the zoa did not seem happy. I removed it, but have noticed a few Asternias on the rock. Should I remove all of them just to be sure? Will the zoa dip (Lugol's) get rid of them?

Thanks,
Diane

 

[Loralie]

I had an infestation of asternia and had no issue with them bothering corals. I added a Harlequin shrimp and with in a few months, there wasn't a star to be found. Now I buy a star every month to feed the shrimp

 

[dg13]

According to ZoaID.com there are some predatory asternias - that is why I am concerned. A shrimp is not an option for me as I have a seahorse tank.

 

[SINNERMF]

I read that the Asterinas that are just brown or tan are of no concern. Howerver There is one that has a few different colors that you have to look out for. In Julian Sprungs" A Quick Reference Guide to Invertibrates" he has a picture of a tan and one with some colors on it. Also on ZOAID.com they show a picture of a tan Asterina on a zoa and called it and irritant.

 

[GobyJohnKenobi]

I had "HAD" a 5 legged tan one that developed a taste for RPEs.

I also have the 6 leggers with the red and blue patches on them. I have seen them on various polyps that did not look good after they left.

I no longer trust the ones I have.

 

[kryppy]

So I had three bad guys on one colony!

 

[acrylic_300]

Will the zoa dip (Lugol's) get rid of them?

Yes.

 

[blackheart]

My brother has a sea horse tank and he keep a pair of harlequin shrimp in there and everyone does fine. These shrimp are non agressive and will only go after star fish i think it is a very good option for you