little white/brown starfish

[cheelo]

does anyone know if they like to eat zoo's? i remember pro talking about them awhile ago, but don't remember the verdict. thanks

 

[scottfarcuz]

You talking about the tiny ones in the genus Asterina? Here is one example.

I had a LOT of these in one of my tanks. I did a lot of reading. I couldn't find much conclusive evidence other than a lot of claims that some live of stony coral tissue.

I do know they reproduce by fission at a pretty impressive rate. I had the problem in a 40g tank, and it wasn't unusual to pull 5 or 6 out a day that I could easily see in the tank.

I've never heard reference to anything eating zoanthids other than the zoo eating nudi's

 

[sagi]

I have a number of them in my nano with some brown zoos and haven't noticed any problems.

 

[Burgman]

Hi,

I don't know about Zoo's but I have some & I caught then munching on the base of my Purple gorgonian.

Dave

 

[cheelo]

scott, thats them. 1 of my 5 tanks. seems to have a problem with zoos opening. i have looked for anything that might be the cause. only thing i have found on them is these starfish attached to the polyp heads and bases in the effected areas. do you have a link to the nudi's?

joe, pm sent

thanks for the replies

 

[RobG]

I have those in my tank too -- always was told they munch on stony corals -- I pull them out as quickly as I can find them, but haven't been able to get rid of them completely.

 

[scottfarcuz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7204967#post7204967 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cheelo
do you have a link to the nudi's?

Zoanthid eating nudi thread

 

[scottfarcuz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7206105#post7206105 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RobG
I have those in my tank too -- always was told they munch on stony corals -- I pull them out as quickly as I can find them, but haven't been able to get rid of them completely.

According to Bob Fenner in a post over at WWM

Most of these critters are simply harmless algae and bacteria feeders, but some have been seen chowing SPS tissue

So according to him if you have them they still could be harmless.

 

[cheelo]

thanks for the great info!

 

[lori7973]

Had tons of them in the 200 gallon, they are harmless. The numbers seem to drop off for awhile then they increase again. We had them for probably a year with no problems.

 

[Rhodophyta]

There are probably different species, and some may as Bob Fenner suggested be harmful, but most are not. It is also possible that some of the negative reports were from casually observing these stars grazing on algae that was coating necrotic coral tissue and since the algal coat was very thin, assuming they were grazing on the coral. It would take a sharp eye to discern the difference.

 

[Burgman]

Hi All,
I have a sharp eye and the Starfish was eating the base of my gorgonian. No necrotic tissue in my case.

Dave

 

[RobG]

Likely to be safe, but possibly not. Not worth the risk, IMO... its not like they're neon blue and pink or anything. Then I might let them live...

 

[Thurge]

I wonder if they will reproduce in a larger aquarium fast enough to sustain a pair of Harliquin Shrimp.....
That would be teh bombdigidy.

 

[scottfarcuz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7218750#post7218750 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Thurge
I wonder if they will reproduce in a larger aquarium fast enough to sustain a pair of Harliquin Shrimp.....
That would be teh bombdigidy.

Do a search over at RDO. Someone was doing just such an experiment, but I don't recall what the outcome was. I think the guy was tryng to grow them in a seperate tank.

 

[VoidRaven]

I have had them in my 30 gallon. They ate my blue zoos, completely killed them, before I was able to figure out it was them. I suggest if you think it is a problem pull them. I still find one every now and then.

Mrs. VR

 

[Thurge]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7218913#post7218913 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scottfarcuz
Do a search over at RDO. Someone was doing just such an experiment, but I don't recall what the outcome was. I think the guy was tryng to grow them in a seperate tank.

What is RDO?

 

[Rhodophyta]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7249954#post7249954 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Thurge
What is RDO?

You need the reef abbreviation checklist. I'd be lost without it. http://ozreef.org/library/articles/internet_reef_keeping_abbreviations.html