Tiny stars

[Saltpete]

Lately Ive been noticing tiny white stars on my glass. Almost of all of them are very small but once in a while Ill see one thats about the size of a pencil eraser. But by the next day any bigger ones seem to be gone. Can anyone tell me what these are and are they being eaten at night? Thanks

 

[HanoverFist]

Do they look like this?

or this?

The first one are Asterina Starfish. Whether they're good/bad is debatable. Lots of different species. Keep an eye on them and see if they eat anything but algae. Based on your description I'm betting they're these.

The second is a mini-brittle star. Good dertrivores that keep your rock-work clean. "Every tank should have some" is the general sentiment with these guys.


Here's a good link on live rock Hitchikers.

 

[Palting]

Likely asterina stars, as in the first pic. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/ac/feature/index.php

 

[travis32]

I had counted literally 200 per each side of my tank, meaning there were 800 visible asterina starfish. That didn't include what was on the rocks, in the rocks, on the sand, etc..

They were everywhere in my 55. All they ate was algae (good). But, if you have a limewater overdose, and 1000 or more asterina starfish all die at once... Look out.. 8.0ppm ammonia spike here we come.. (Rescued the one fish in the tank, None of the ammonia was from a dead fish of any type. Just starfish and snails!!)

 

[Saltpete]

Thanks, they are asterina stars. It always seems like theres pretty close to the same amount in there all the time. Doesnt seem like the amount is growing. Do fish eat them?Thanks

 

[t4zalews]

if you had a thousand of them...I would have gotten a pair of harlequin shrimp...I fed mine asterina stars

 

[zachfishman]

Hey I have both of those! The little brittle stars are great in my sand bed, and the Asterinas eat my algae (can see little tracks they leave on the glass). Some people say they eat coral, I've never seen it (no SPS in my system though).