What is this hitchhiker

[davidc]

Typically if they are on the glass, they are algae eaters. In 30 yrs, I have never seen one consume coral. I'm not saying some won't, but if it's on the glass, he's just trying to make a living.

 

[VelasCorals]

Typically if they are on the glass, they are algae eaters. In 30 yrs, I have never seen one consume coral. I'm not saying some won't, but if it's on the glass, he's just trying to make a living.

I've seen them war corals several times. Had a perfectly healthy chalice and noticed one on the top of it. Pulled it offer and a Astrea shaped skeleton under it. The ones I see eat corals have reddish tinges on the top.

 

[Pete polyp]

Let me guess, you probably have a somewhat large tank? (75+) If that's the case, the damage that these stars might be doing can easily go unnoticed. Recreate that same thing in a nano and throw a bunch of these in there... I think y'all might change your tune... (under the microscope so to say) JMO, GL.

On a side note; did you get that star to eat those stars?

The hundreds in my 29 have caused no issue at all

Typically if they are on the glass, they are algae eaters. In 30 yrs, I have never seen one consume coral. I'm not saying some won't, but if it's on the glass, he's just trying to make a living.

I have actually witnessed the complete opposite. A chalice I have would eat the asterina as they crawled over them.

 

[Tanggirl12]

Well, if you have the bad ones, it's going to happen.

 

[ss95003]

There are bad pods too how do I kill every one of those just in case?

 

[Tanggirl12]

Only way is just remove them as you see them, which will usually be on your fish unfortunately.

 

[Nowell]

I've had no issues. I suspect that tanks that experience an "explosion" have a nutrient level correlation.

 

[Pete polyp]

I've had no issues. I suspect that tanks that experience an "explosion" have a nutrient level correlation.

No. The population seems to be driven by the amount of coralline algae.