little white starfish everywhere!!!

[Chelo's Big Sis]

I have always had some little white starfish in my tank, but now I have about a bazillion!!! Is anyone else noticeing this? Why are they multiplying so fast right now? Also, if I should get rid of some of them, is it safe to flush them or should I just put them in the garbage? Some people have said that they are bad but I have also heard that they aren't. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.
Cindy

 

[BrunstuckyJoe]

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/asterinafaqs.htm

Hope this helps.

 

[cash03ins]

I have always had a few and in the last few months they have multiplied like mad. They don't seem to hurt anythig most have lost an arm or two from either the fish or the powerheads.
Wayne

 

[BrunstuckyJoe]

Some say that they like to eat at zoas....

 

[cash03ins]

I have never seen them near my zoas if they do there gone. Most of the time there just on the glass or the rock.

 

[anaelitz]

same here....glass and rock...tons of zoas in the tank and no problems

 

[Gary Briggs]

I have had them for years, no pblms, did read once where they ate at a big sarchopyton, didnt kill it though

 

[Rhodophyta]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15378745#post15378745 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cash03ins
I have always had a few and in the last few months they have multiplied like mad. They don't seem to hurt anythig most have lost an arm or two from either the fish or the powerheads.
Wayne

We''ve had them for years and never seen a population explosion. They are detrivores so perhaps they reproduce to match their food supply. Look for hidden areas where detritus is building up, or concealed dead fish/animals. They always seem to have varied numbers and different sizes of legs because they break apart to reproduce. They don't need a trip through a powerhead or a piscine gynecologist for this.

 

[Jim Morrison]

Get a Harlequin Shrimp they only eat starfishes if you wanna get rid of them.