Asterinas need to go

[Pntbll687]

So i transferred my frag tanks into my display while we are starting to renovate our basement (where the frag tanks were). I put some Zoas in the display, they all opened and were fine. Then I started noticing polyps closed and not open. The asterinas are eating my zoas!

Not a total shock since I've read this before.

What are my options for keeping these things at bay? I don't need them totally eradicated, just to manageable level.

 

[Saltyreef]

Ive noticed these stars eat struggling polyps before munching on healthy ones.
Get a harliquin shrimp

 

[shakygator]

My theory on this is they usually only do this when they are short on a food supply. If they have nothing else to eat, they may start eating your corals. When I start noticing their population numbers getting higher I usually make it a point to begin culling them. I get a small tupperware and some tweezers and pull out every one I can find. I do this for a few days until I feel like I made a dent in population numbers.

I've gone the harlequin route, which is super effective - but I have some large brittle stars I don't want to become dinner now.

 

[Pntbll687]

My theory on this is they usually only do this when they are short on a food supply. If they have nothing else to eat, they may start eating your corals. When I start noticing their population numbers getting higher I usually make it a point to begin culling them. I get a small tupperware and some tweezers and pull out every one I can find. I do this for a few days until I feel like I made a dent in population numbers.

Maybe your theory is right. What do they feed on? Because I have plenty of detritus and extra food in the tank

 

[Pistol Peet]

Harlequin shrimp for sure