ID on the starfish please

[blanc88]

Hi all,

I've had a recent outbreak of small starfish. Hoping it's not asternia. Can sonbody give me a positive ID on the pictures please.
I want to understand if I should start removing them !?

 

[KJ]

Look like Asternia to me. Watch them.

 

[sleeper]

Agreed.

 

[blanc88]

Thanks !

Might explain the demise of some of my corals.

To help me and possibly others, can you let me know how you were able to identify them ?

 

[pireefgirl85]

I keep a pair of harlequins in my system....they keep the population of these things in check.

 

[blanc88]

I keep a pair of harlequins in my system....they keep the population of these things in check.

Yes. That's what I'm getting, but need to get rid of my sand sifters first :(

 

[pireefgirl85]

Yes. That's what I'm getting, but need to get rid of my sand sifters first :(

Yes, they are non prejudice to what particular kind they eat. I sometimes treat mine to the occasional chocolate chip star...

 

[MyDayZzz]

My decorator crab took out a few pesty inverts.

 

[Priscila]

What type of starfish is this?... o was arranging my live rocks and I came across this little dude...
Does anybody know what type is this. Its small

 

[norfolkgarden]

They all look like asterina starfish.

Some people keep them bit I would recommend getting rid of all of them.

Curious note. They may increase as nitrate gets higher.
One way your tank could be saying test your parameters. [emoji846]

 

[ReisolnitsuJ]

+1 to asterina starfish. They look very similar to mine which haven't bothered any of my corals but keep at your own discretion.