What starfish is this and is it reef safe?

[deepghosh]

Found this starfish in my tank just now. Looks like maybe a Culcita species? Can anyone ID it? And should I take it out? Thanks!

 

[deepghosh]

Oh and it's about 1/4"

 

[Reefing Madness]

Welp, thats an Asterina, but you've got the blue tint on to much for a camera shot, you can see other things in the tank with blue lines through them. So the Asterina looks blue to everyone.

 

[deepghosh]

Yeah my iphone camera doesn't do well with the LEDs... that starfish is actually light grey/ black

 

[Reefing Madness]

Yea, its an Asterina. Keep an eye on him, but for the most part they are safe.

 

[deepghosh]

Thank you!

 

[mfinn]

Since I believe astrinas will eat zoanthids, I remove every single one from tanks as soon as I see them.

 

[rworegon]

I've seen them attach themselves to zoa's. Can't say for sure they consume them but the zoas don't do well when this happens. On the other side of the coin I have seen my blue linkia eating the asternias. Circle of life.