Starfish ID

[jossc]

Hello recently bought an online Coral order and after placing my corals in the tank I noticed this guy suddenly appeared and wondered how to care for it, what are its benefits
Regards

 

[homer1475]

Asternia star.

Some say they munch corals. I have never had an issue with them, but did buy a harlequin shrimp(just couldn't say no to the wife), who has now eradicated all of them in my display.

 

[reefs4life]

Yup asterina star. Typically they're harmless but if you get into zoas and they suddenly begin disappearing that will most likely be your number 1 culprit

 

[Bret Brinkmann]

Bumblebee shrimp also eat them but will accept other foods. So they won't starve after they are all gone. Feeding harlequins stars fish gets expensive.

 

[vetteguy53081]

These are not welcome in my tank. Harlequin shrimp eat them like candy. Some are merely algae eaters while others will eat zoa. Im NOT willing to find out. each morning they rise to top of tank and I net them out. My drop off tank and cube tank are now free of them

 

[jossc]

thank you for the response everyone