What is the best way to eliminate Asterina Stars

[gatorrx98]

It started with very few that I often hand removed. Now there are probably thousands. I have 50 on my glass at any given time. I know that Harlequan shrimp may help, but can they really remove this many? Will they go after my bristle stars?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[AzCondor]

I think a harlequin shrimp or maybe a few can easily eat that many if not keep them in check. The only problem I foresee is if he eats them all you will have to take him out. I do not know if he will eat the bristle stars but with that many asternia you should be fine.

 

[gatorrx98]

I have a 180. Do you think that I need a pair of harlequan shrimp or just one?

Thanks again for the reply.

 

[Pulp Fishin]

One harlequin shrimp should be fine. It will take a little longer for one to get the astra population down but after about a month you will notice a lot less stars in your display tank.
After you will have to start feeding the harlequin other starfish or find him a new home.

 

[au01st]

I have a huge problem with them in my tank. I got a harlequin shrimp about a month ago and along with manual removal, he has made a dent in the population. At any given time, he has one in his hands, so I know he's eating them. Every morning, I scrape 50+ off my overflow. I got a large 6x8 net and a glass scraper. I turn the pumps off, and instead of scraping down like for coraline, I scrape up and it lifts some starfish into the water column. They fall back down and into the net, which I just rinse out in the sink and hit the 1hp disposal for 10sec. I do this procedure while I'm thawing frozen food for my fish and sun coral, so it's not wasted time.

 

[gatorrx98]

That sounds great. I think that I will start with one shrimp and use your netting technique. Hopefully I can get them under control within a few months.
Luckily I have a 110 setup that was given to me that has the same problem. I will just attempt to move the shrimp to the other tank. Any chance at all that the Stars and Stripes Puffer in my FOWLR 110 won't eat the harliquin?

 

[LeslieH]

Any chance at all that the Stars and Stripes Puffer in my FOWLR 110 won't eat the harliquin?

Slim chance. Many puffer species are very fond of crustaceans. Have you checked out the Puffer Forum? http://www.thepufferforum.com/

 

[gatorrx98]

Thanks Leslie. I will check out the forum. I appreciate the info.

 

[gatorrx98]

I put my new Harlequin in Sunday afternoon, and he was busy tearing into an asterina star this morning. I was able to fish two of my sand sifting stars out with krill on a bamboo skewer, but one wouldn't take the bait. Will the harlequin eventually go after it if I can't catch it?