My experience with Asterina sea stars

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Benign if the population is low and/or algae is plentiful (especially on the glass). But will attack coral (or at least damage coral while feeding on biofilm) if too populous and the glass too clean (can glass ever be too clean?). The asterina in my tank seem to prefer clove polyps and zoas when they get hungry. Has anyone else noticed this?

Tom

 

[ReeferMan420]

Hey Tom, I agree if the Asterina pop is low no need to worry, but I had quite a few in a tank I had years ago and never had a problem with them on any of my corals. They mostly kept to themselves on the glass and rockwork. I hear horror stories here and there which is why I am thinking there may be a subspecies of Asterina that prey on corals...DNA sequencing would be involved and that is above my paygrade :squigglemouth:

 

[vlangel]

I have them and have had them for years without any negative effects.