White algae? Whats growing on my rocks?

[jdlc]

Hello everyone
I'm 7 months into my first Reef tank and I'm noticing these white spots growing on some of my live rock. Not sure what it is or if I should be concerned
All feedback welcome

 

[shakacuz]

potential die-back from any alk/cal swings or trace element deficiency, or an urchin(if you have any) is chewing off your CA.

 

[jdlc]

Interesting. I dont have any urchins so i can count that out. These are my last 2 test results a week apart

 

[ralquist]

Looks like it could be asterina starfish in my unprofessional opinion. That's how I know I've got some, easy to hunt down just follow the white trail! Hard to tell from the pic but mine leave those same spots. Pink is where I pulled it off the rock.

 

[shakacuz]

Interesting. I dont have any urchins so i can count that out. These are my last 2 test results a week apart

CAL was low, but then corrected. do you have any nerite snails? they leave circle-shaped eggs.

 

[rhitee93]

Might be spirorbid worms, but I can't see them clearly enough.

 

[Dan_P]

Hello everyone
I'm 7 months into my first Reef tank and I'm noticing these white spots growing on some of my live rock. Not sure what it is or if I should be concerned
All feedback welcome

Is the purple coloration coralline or paint?

 

[jdlc]

It's coralline
And I have seen asterina or two in there. I've heard they are a nuisance, should I be concerned?

 

[Dan_P]

It's coralline
And I have seen asterina or two in there. I've heard they are a nuisance, should I be concerned?

Little sea stars? Not sure what they bother.

 

[jabraha1]

Little white round dots about the size of a Sharpie jab are very likely nerite eggs. they're harmless. see this thread: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/think-one-of-my-snails-laid-eggs-on-the-glass-last-night.205293/

 

[KrisReef]

Interesting. I dont have any urchins so i can count that out. These are my last 2 test results a week apart

post the next test when you have a picture of those results.
Please and thank you!
(almost forgot my manners!)

 

[ralquist]

It's coralline
And I have seen asterina or two in there. I've heard they are a nuisance, should I be concerned?

Everyone will have their own opinion, I personally remove them because of this very reason. I just think it looks ugly, they do multiply like crazy.

 

[jdlc]

Is there anything other than harlequin shrimp that will eat the asterina starfish?

 

[ralquist]

I've only heard of the harlequin method (personally haven't tried). I generally will notice the white spots, get an idea where they are active, then go hunting when lights come on the next morning. Looking for those pink spots on the coraline algae they are pretty easy to find and pick off (I use tweezers). Depending on your tank size, its manageable to keep the population down.

 

[jdlc]

UPDATE
So I'm sure the culprits were a few asterina stars that I plucked.
Lost my firefish over the weekend, sad about that. I was away for the weekend coaching so I'm not exactly sure what happened.
Here's updated parameters.