Starfish?

[GWHouston]

We’ve seen two. How old is the big brittle star?

 

[JSB]

I first put it in the tank in 2012 but it was already a good sized starfish at the time.

 

[Tomoko Schum]

Tomoko has Asterinas and zoas. Maybe she will comment here.

I have hundreds of Asterinas at this point (from just a few I had a little over one year ago when I replaced my leaking 180.) I tried to get rid of it by introducing a Harlequin shrimp, but it quickly became a lunch to my Orchid Dottyback.

Do they eat zoas? I am not sure. I have a number of zoanthid and palythoa colonies that are thriving in my tank, but I have lost a number of blue zoa colonies for some reason. I have a Powder Blue Tang and a big Foxface who are also suspects for the dirty deeds.

I understand that some people have caught Asterina red handed eating zoas and other critters. Dr. Ron Shimek has a picture of Asterina miniata eating a tiny sea cucumber in one of his articles in Reefkeeping magazine. Here is an article on Asterina by ReefBuilder/Jake Adams: https://reefbuilders.com/2016/03/30...duction-to-this-common-reef-aquarium-critter/

 

[H@rry]

The last zoas that I had were Candy Apple Reds. A Foxface wiped them out.

 

[GWHouston]

The last zoas that I had were Candy Apple Reds. A Foxface wiped them out.

Maybe the FF is my zoa issuebas well.

 

[Tomoko Schum]

I found some Asterinas eating my orange zoa. I am not sure if they were feeding on already chewed up parts or not. These zoa were very healthy the day before. I squished those Asterinas, but I am still suspecting my to Foxface and pigmy angel to be the instigator.