Zoanthid eating starfish?

[ebeneezer]

Ive been wondering about these little white starfish I am finding in my tank.

They dont always look fully formed, like 4 legs and one short one.

Anyone know if they are a hazard to the zoanthids? Ive been pulling them out as I see them but I got some real nice zoas I dont want to lose!!

TIA

 

[Zalman]

Some are. Some aren't. My understanding is there are a few different variations of these stars. I have a ton in my tank and they will occasionally be by my Zoas but never eat them. Other people have had them eat their Zoas.

My suggestions would be to just keep an eye on your Zoas and if you see them disapearing then start removing the stars or renting a harlequin shrimp.

 

[lazytaper]

They are probably asterina starfish. I would remove them quickly before they spread.

 

[MikeandNicole]

They sound exactly like asterina stars. They can eat zoas and are a pain to remove. Manual removal and harlequin shrimp are really the only way to remove them.

 

[explor3r]

Yes they are asterina star, the white ones are ok but the brownish and dark ones eat the zoas. Personally I remove the white and dark ones now since I dont want to take chances.