Need some confirmation please: Asterina Starfish & Aiptasia

[matthias_bln]

Hello fellow reefers,

While I'm still building my display tank, there's quite some life which seems to develop in my coral quarantine tank.
This morning I spotted those two:

1. I believe this first one is an Asterina Starfish? I can only see one so far, however I believe they multiply and I should pull it out?
2. The second picture is Aiptasia growing on the bottom of my eggcrate? Also just seeing one so far, but am I right with that assumption? Any recommendation on how to get it out? Not sure whether just taking the tweezers is going to cut it?

Thanks a bunch as always!
Matthias

 

[jerrod]

It looks like you are correct. As long as that start is white or brown it’s most likely an asterina star.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Your correct on both and want to remove both. Star can and may eat zoa and Aptasia can multiply like mice. Manually remove stars and for asterina, using a syringe .. . mix kalkwasser into a thin paste or use lemon juice and inject into the center core of each aptasia and they will melt away

 

[Phycodurus]

FYI asterina come in various shades and colors. (they were recently renamed as Aquilonastra spp.)

respectfully,
rick

 

[Euphyllia97]

Looks like you have correctly diagnosed your pests. Wouldn’t recommend cutting the aptasia as the floating particles will create more new ones. Try some lemon juice or aptasia x instead. You can also naturally try to get rid of them by introducing a filefish.

 

[matthias_bln]

Thanks, @vetteguy53081, @jerrod and @Phycodurus ! While my daughter was letting out an audible sigh when talking about removing the starfish, I'll take it out now and will probably just swap out the eggcreate to get rid of the aiptasia.