Asterina? Will this make me angry later?

[CastAway]

I bought a couple Zoa frags from my LFS a few weeks ago. I'm pretty sure a couple of these were introduced at that time. Most of the pictures I've seen of "asterina" are white, and typically missing arms. I have a few of those, I know.

But, is this an Asterina? Is it harmless? I have not had any noticeable losses, but they're multiplying, and I'm curious given the different coloring. Please share your input...

 

[CastAway]

bump

 

[Unknown]

I've got a few of them in my tank, no adverse side effects thus far and I've had them for about 6+ months.

My roommate has had them in his tank ever since I can remember (2 years), they haven't caused any problems thus far.

 

[pickupman66]

Asternia are great little algae eaters. I have plenty in my tank. their population will be very self controlling.

 

[saltyphish]

I have no experience with the bad ones, but have read people complain about some varieties will eat coral. Seems like most people say the colorful ones are the more notorious for this. Being the possibility many people just pull them out and get rid of them just to be safe. I believe harlequin shrimp eat them. Then like the 2 posts above some people have absolutely no problems with them. It's hard to say maybe some more people will chime in with good or bad experiences and help you decide. Me personally, I remove them mainly because of how fast they multiply and can reach plague proportions in some tanks. That's when it will suck to find out you have the bad ones.

 

[Unknown]

I have no experience with the bad ones, but have read people complain about some varieties will eat coral. Seems like most people say the colorful ones are the more notorious for this. Being the possibility many people just pull them out and get rid of them just to be safe. I believe harlequin shrimp eat them. Then like the 2 posts above some people have absolutely no problems with them. It's hard to say maybe some more people will chime in with good or bad experiences and help you decide. Me personally, I remove them mainly because of how fast they multiply and can reach plague proportions in some tanks. That's when it will suck to find out you have the bad ones.

+1 on harlequin shrimp eating them. One shrimp could wipe out an entire population of them as they are bit size ;)

 

[KorD]

I have had 5 or so in my 30 gal now since april. I have not seen anymore then that on my rocks or glass... some people say they split fast, but if the algae is kept down, they will stay small in numbers.. I have no major problems with algae since I also have a turbo snail and an urchin. Those two keep the tank super clean