I.D please
- Thread starter JVan82
- Start date
JVan82
New member
rockhead51
New member
That 1st one is an asterina star. Bunch of different species, some munch on coral. I used to pick them out religiously until I realized I had never seen one on a coral. Now I leave them alone.
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Ron Reefman
Active member
I agree that the thing with the tubes is probably a sponge. But I'd keep a close eye on it and see if it spreads. A sponge will grow slowly and hydroids spread randomly.
The star is an asterina, and like rockhead51, I used to pick them out off the front glass when the population first bloomed. But it settled down and I've never seen them bother a coral. Even if they are on a coral, as they move off there is never any damage. IMHO the coral eating of asterina stars is way over blown!
JVan82
New member
So I just noticed the tubes a day or 2 ago, they seem to be on most my rock work... [emoji15]
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Nick_Northern
New member
I had many asterinas in my reef, didn't cause any trouble for 6months then started eating my star polyps
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AlSimmons
New member
I don't trust those Asterina stars either. Diversity is cool and all, but there are some creatures our tanks can do without, especially one that has been known to eat various corals & can reproduce to plague like proportions. :thumbdown
Those are sponges in the second picture btw.
Those are sponges in the second picture btw.
rookie2reef
New member
I've seen them eat zoas,wouldn't keep in tank get yourself a harliquin shrimp he'll clear them out in a week just would have to feed him once a week with choclate chip starfish when he's done or sell
I have the stars in my tank and only had one issue. I have a JBJ 28 with a tunze top off. One got back into the sump area and climbed into the float switch compartment and triggered the float switch on. It dumped freshwater into the tank until the fail safe kicked on. I got the starfish out and now i check daily to make sure none are near the compartment. No ill effects to my tank thank god. Haven't had an issue since. I personally like them and they do great with the algae on the glass.
