Why do some reefers hate these little guys?

[Useful_Idiot]

I thought this was neat. Hadn’t noticed one in this stage in all my years.

 

[AlexandraDreadlocksPanda]

I think they are cute and an intricate part of the overall biome.

I have caught them in the act of eating both Zoanthids and healthy Acropora’s… literally had munched a track from the base right up into the centre of the 10” diameter Rainbow Loom colony. Get rid of them!!!!

 

[dangles]

Than from Tidal Gardens has talked about them in several of his videos. He mentions that some definitely go after zoas (and other corals) but some do not. He has a tank at his shop that has a healthy population of the "safe" variety. He has said several times that the "safe" ones are HIGHLY underrated CUC. I had them throw a few of them into my last order :)

 

[Maho.B]

No idea what species I had (looked like the ones pictured) and never found them eating any coral, but they devastated the coraline algae so I started taking them out as I would find them.

 

[Tonycass12]

I think they are cute and an intricate part of the overall biome.

Some of them will also eat your corals. Luckily harlequin shrimp make quick work of them.

 

[Maho.B]

I would love a harlequin shrimp but don't want to cut up chocolate chip stars all the time to feed them when the other starfish are gone.

 

[PotatoPig]

Frankly I like them and have never experienced the “invasive” nature, there’s always just a couple hanging around.

My guess is there are either:

1. Multiple species that look very very similar, but some reproduce at a very high rate and end up out of control.

2. Some specific, but unknown, tank parameter exists that triggers rapid reproduction.

And this leads some people but not others to experience overpopulation that negatively impacts the tank.

 

[Bohemian Waxwing]

Mine were definitely eating zoas :( I have a harlequin in there now and the population is slowly shrinking. I really like them otherwise.

 

[ReefTankENG]

I love seeing them around my tank! I have the lighter colored ones. I never had any issues with them. I’ve had them present for about 8 years

 

[Dburr1014]

I don't mind them until I see a lot of them.
In the morning or as lights go out, they crawl on the glass. If I see a whole bunch I just pick them off the glass and into the trash.

 

[sawdonkey]

I like them.

I think there is one that is naughty but most are helpful and people just want something to blame when something goes wrong.

I’ve seen them sit on zoas and eat the.

 

[exnisstech]

Just saw this one tonight in my cold dark brute rock container. They are survivalists. I suppose they eat what is easiest to get to which may be coral at times. Now a tube worm.

 

[naterealbig]

I think they are cute and an intricate part of the overall biome.

Agreed. And, you will find them less cute when they start eating your corals.

 

[naterealbig]

I’ve seen them sit on zoas and eat the.

That's what mine did.

 

[naterealbig]

I had a spiky serpent star that would munch on my zoas too. Although, i believe this happened because i wasn't feeding enough (fishless system).