Asterina Star Removal

[ZoWhat]

I wanted to break off a new topic from the other Asterina post.

I have 100-200 whitish light grey Asterinas. Never seen them directly attack my zoas but have seen them eat zoas that were shrinking/dying. Nevertheless i want them gone.

Ways to remove them?

1) Manually? I have a long 2ft tweezer device that can easily pluck many of them. Just wondering if i can keep-up (?).

2) Crush Them? With the same tweezer device i can also crush their shell making quicker work than removing them one by one. But does crushing them cause eggs to be released where one crushed one reproduces 5 more?

3) Harlequin? How successful and how long does a harlequin take to wipe out a colony of 100+? Are Harlequins picky and might not even eat the whitish light grey ones i have? Once the Asterinas are gone how do i care for rhe Harlequin? This seems like an expensive option.




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[dansreef]

Following. The dang little things have taken off in my tank as well.

 

[EmdeReef]

I wanted to break off a new topic from the other Asterina post.

I have 100-200 whitish light grey Asterinas. Never seen them directly attack my zoas but have seen them eat zoas that were shrinking/dying. Nevertheless i want them gone.

Ways to remove them?

1) Manually? I have a long 2ft tweezer device that can easily pluck many of them. Just wondering if i can keep-up (?).

2) Crush Them? With the same tweezer device i can also crush their shell making quicker work than removing them one by one. But does crushing them cause eggs to be released where one crushed one reproduces 5 more?

3) Harlequin? How successful and how long does a harlequin take to wipe out a colony of 100+? Are Harlequins picky and might not even eat the whitish light grey ones i have? Once the Asterinas are gone how do i care for rhe Harlequin? This seems like an expensive option.




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1. Will work but have to be very patient and do it consistently for weeks, you won’t eradicate but could keep population in check depending on the size of the tank.

2. Bad idea - Asterinas multiply by fragmentation

3. Usually will eat, especially if you can get a captive bred. The only inexpensive way of maintaining one after Asterinas are gone is to get a 10-20g tank or a bucket or two and Make into an Asterina grow tank... there are some ? around whether older harlequins will eat asterinas. Could also try bumble bee shrimps which aren’t obligate echinoderm feeders

 

[gibbs.david]

I’ve also an outbreak and I suck them up when I do a water change. I don’t get them all but enough to get control of the tank. The almost disappear then bang, infestation. I wish there was a magical solution but so far there isn’t one.

 

[Justfebreezeit]

Harlequins are only 30 bucks or so. Buy one, let it wipe out the stars, and bring it back to the store. If they wont give you any money for it you are only out 30 bucks.

 

[gibbs.david]

For me the concern is my watchman goby. He’s had shrimps before. Mainly the Peppermint Shrimp. I’m convinced he also had my boxer shrimp