zoas being eaten HELP!!!!!!

[hoot214]

I noticed that some of my zoas looked irratated and open closer look I noticed small starfish on them, how can I get rib of this problem

 

[bmullikin1]

pluck them out manully, or buy a harliquin shrimp. i have same astera stars but i also have flame hawk, so i pluck out manual, but they reproduce quickly. good luck.

 

[tobey]

+1 pluck them out or get a harlequin shrimp just remember they only eat starfish. Once your little problem is gone trade/sell him to a local or buy starfish to feed it.

 

[650-IS350]

Manual removal is best.... most are herbivores but some do go after polyps. Better safe than sorrry.

 

[lindenfish88]

I got the same problem, plucking them out?? Can you wipe your tank clean by plucking? BTW 650 is your tank free of these star fish guys?

 

[650-IS350]

pretty much, once in a great while I'll see one creeping up on a polyp. Probably now only catch 1 or 2 every 2-3 months. Most recently 1 month ago, one was trying to go after a PPE.

WIth 5 wrasses in a tank and manual removal. I don't think much gets past these guys.

 

[lindenfish88]

How often do you fish out the starfishes? Everyday when you had alot?? And wrasses actually eat them?

 

[VITARTE]

Harlequin shrimp will do them.
I got two not too long ago and now I can hardly find any asterina.

Rafo

 

[650-IS350]

Before, here and there or before I do bi-weekly water changes I go through the tank. Now I barely check or when I actually notice them. I notice my wrasses pick at everything in the tank especially newly added frags or colonies. I have't seen then actually devour asterinas but I wouldn't put it past my previous 3" mystery and Yellow coris.

 

[lindenfish88]

don't those stars multiply pretty fast for you?? I notice a bloom in them if I start feeding my tank stuff like coral frenzy or reef snow etc.

 

[650-IS350]

Nah,

I feed 1 block of frozen food every day, coral frenzy, liquid plankton/zoo plankton. Soft sinking pellets that I grind up to little particles.