Proof Asterina starfish are harmful!

[Rjramos]

In my observations , it seems they like the zooxanthelle within coral tissues. In zoanthiids for instance they stick on the side of the stalk and draw out the liquid inside.

 

[NeutronMan]

I’ve lost $1000s in zoas to these evil things. I’ve manually removed 100s of them and they always come back….

Been laughed at when I make the claim so it’s good to see others backing it up finally.

 

[BobTheBlenney]

Has anyone successfully eradicated them without a Harlequin Shrimp?

I had a melanurus wrasse, and possibly other wrasses, that would eat them. They would show up on the glass and then slowly start losing body parts until they were gone. Then after a while they would show up again and the same thing would happen.