Is this a bad star?

[cocowizzz]

Hello reefers I have found a few of these guyes in my tank lately just curious if anyone knows what kind of star it is it's small white with reddish brown and black speckles on top.

 

[DeniseAndy]

Some say yes, some say no. It is what we used to call Asterina starfish. They have a new name now, same old issues. Will populate like crazy, die off, some have issues eating corals, some do not. Some types of shrimp eat them, but then when they run out the shrimp die unless you feed them more of the same. Search this site for Asterina starfish and you will get lots of info.

 

[cocowizzz]

Some say yes, some say no. It is what we used to call Asterina starfish. They have a new name now, same old issues. Will populate like crazy, die off, some have issues eating corals, some do not. Some types of shrimp eat them, but then when they run out the shrimp die unless you feed them more of the same. Search this site for Asterina starfish and you will get lots of info.

That's what I thought I take them out when I see them on the glass I dont have any issues with my coral so hopefully I dont have the coral eating type

 

[acbaldwin]

Asterinas are cool, I like having them, but they can reproduce quickly to the point of being a pest.

 

[Saveafish]

Asterina starfish Comes kinda two ways. If red or orange spots they eat polyps, if spots are black or grey most likely reef safe.

 

[BadFish619]

They really like to eat coraline so you'll have a bunch of white spots on ur rocks

 

[Rjramos]

What I have witnessed them sucking the life out of are zoanthids. Usually at the stalk or stem. I get rid of all of them. A Harlequin shrimp will eat them quickly, but as mentioned, will die if not continuously supplied.

 

[cocowizzz]

Asterinas are cool, I like having them, but they can reproduce quickly to the point of being a pest.

Yes I have noticed a lot more lately

 

[cocowizzz]

Asterina starfish Comes kinda two ways. If red or orange spots they eat polyps, if spots are black or grey most likely reef safe.

The spots are kind of red mostly darker though I haven't seen them much around the coral

 

[cocowizzz]

They really like to eat coraline so you'll have a bunch of white spots on ur rocks

May be why I seem to have almost no coraline

 

[cocowizzz]

What I have witnessed them sucking the life out of are zoanthids. Usually at the stalk or stem. I get rid of all of them. A Harlequin shrimp will eat them quickly, but as mentioned, will die if not continuously supplied.

I have issues with one of my #zoanthid rocks and they dont open to often