Asternia Stars

rgrobe · 02/08/2009, 11:46 PM

I've noticed my asternia stars are starting to do noticeable damage to my coralline. I have clean white trails of little spots eaten by the stars as they move through the rocks. I have never been to concerned before but the numbers and damage is increasing.

I have heard that Harlequin Shrimp will eat them. I also have heard there is a particular species of star that will eat them and is still reef safe.

Before I settle on a method I would appreciate some insight as to ways that others may have seen success in eliminating or at least controlling the population. What works for you?

reefrf · 02/09/2009, 12:08 AM

I have the same problem. I took out my Fromia star & put him in my Fuge & added a Harlequin shrimp. So far, he seems to be making some good progress. With one shrimp & 150g DT I think it will take a few months at least.

reefrf · 02/09/2009, 12:09 AM

I also try to suck up the asterinas when I do water changes.

MmmReef · 02/09/2009, 12:39 AM

Ive had a few problems in different tanks with large asterina populations. Both times Harelquins did a nice clean up job. Only problem is once the stars are gone you have to either get rid of the shrimp or suppliment their feedings.

MarkusII · 02/12/2009, 08:45 AM

Hello,

if you do not want Harlequins because you have other seastars in your tank, you could use the "Starcatcher"
from Aquadriver
regards

Markus

Ehaze · 02/12/2009, 06:48 PM

Man, these little bastards killed 98% of my coraline algae, THERE WERE TONS of them.

The halequins owned them. been about a month.

cash cow · 02/12/2009, 07:08 PM

i just pulled them out with my barehands or every time I did a water change......start going after them as soon as possible, cause they spread like crazy and get annoying..

MrRyanT · 02/12/2009, 07:32 PM

I have a pair of Harlequins in my 110 gal DT. They've been in there for a little over a month and have decreased my asterina population by at least half. I'm thinking after another month I will have to find them some more food.

spleify · 02/12/2009, 07:48 PM

Yep harlequins worked for me too. I had 100's of them.

I personally would not waste my money on that silly glass scraper, bucket thingy. Maybe 1, in every 50 ever makes it to the glass. JMO

str8salt · 02/12/2009, 10:50 PM

harlequins. I went from hundreds to none in no time. The problem came after they finished. Hard to keep them up once the asterina are gone.

02/08/2009, 11:46 PM	#1
rgrobe Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: San Diego area Posts: 416	Asternia Stars I've noticed my asternia stars are starting to do noticeable damage to my coralline. I have clean white trails of little spots eaten by the stars as they move through the rocks. I have never been to concerned before but the numbers and damage is increasing. I have heard that Harlequin Shrimp will eat them. I also have heard there is a particular species of star that will eat them and is still reef safe. Before I settle on a method I would appreciate some insight as to ways that others may have seen success in eliminating or at least controlling the population. What works for you?

02/09/2009, 12:08 AM	#2
reefrf reefrf Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Diego CA. Posts: 1,026	I have the same problem. I took out my Fromia star & put him in my Fuge & added a Harlequin shrimp. So far, he seems to be making some good progress. With one shrimp & 150g DT I think it will take a few months at least. __________________ RF RIP 150g.... http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1651699&perpage=25&pagenumber=1 Current Tank Info: 250g 72x30x27 (Starphire) Lighting-Giesemann Infiniti 3x250w HQI Phoenix 4T-5's. 75g sump/Reef Octopus SRO5000 Skimmer/ GEO 624 Calcium Reactor. Circulation 3 x MP40QD 1/4 hp Artica

02/09/2009, 12:09 AM	#3
reefrf reefrf Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Diego CA. Posts: 1,026	I also try to suck up the asterinas when I do water changes. __________________ RF RIP 150g.... http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1651699&perpage=25&pagenumber=1 Current Tank Info: 250g 72x30x27 (Starphire) Lighting-Giesemann Infiniti 3x250w HQI Phoenix 4T-5's. 75g sump/Reef Octopus SRO5000 Skimmer/ GEO 624 Calcium Reactor. Circulation 3 x MP40QD 1/4 hp Artica

02/12/2009, 08:45 AM	#5
MarkusII Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: near Innsbruck/Tyrol/Austria Posts: 611	Hello, if you do not want Harlequins because you have other seastars in your tank, you could use the "Starcatcher" from Aquadriver regards Markus __________________ Greetings from the heart of the alps No there are no kangaroos (in the wild) in AUSTRIA Current Tank Info: 200x80x60 cm - 253G, 60x30x30cm - 14G, and in care of 660G

02/12/2009, 06:48 PM	#6
Ehaze Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Thornton, Colorado Posts: 1,259	Man, these little bastards killed 98% of my coraline algae, THERE WERE TONS of them. The halequins owned them. been about a month. __________________ 75g SPS tank, 30gal sump/refuge. Melev RO/DI, Coravue duel calc reactor, MSP 200 skimmer, 2 Vortech MP40, Mag drive 9.5 return, autotopoff.com ATO, 2 CoralVue 250W SE finished pendants(with 20k Radium bulbs), powered by 2x Icecap ballasts, controlled by a ACJR.

02/09/2009, 12:39 AM	#4
MmmReef Moved On Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1	Ive had a few problems in different tanks with large asterina populations. Both times Harelquins did a nice clean up job. Only problem is once the stars are gone you have to either get rid of the shrimp or suppliment their feedings.

02/12/2009, 07:08 PM	#7
cash cow Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: oxford, michigan Posts: 184	i just pulled them out with my barehands or every time I did a water change......start going after them as soon as possible, cause they spread like crazy and get annoying..

02/12/2009, 07:32 PM	#8
MrRyanT MrRyanT Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 1,731	I have a pair of Harlequins in my 110 gal DT. They've been in there for a little over a month and have decreased my asterina population by at least half. I'm thinking after another month I will have to find them some more food. __________________ We are what we repeatedly do, excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. - Aristotle Current Tank Info: 30 gal display

02/12/2009, 07:48 PM	#9
spleify Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 9,579	Yep harlequins worked for me too. I had 100's of them. I personally would not waste my money on that silly glass scraper, bucket thingy. Maybe 1, in every 50 ever makes it to the glass. JMO __________________ Make it a Great Day!!!! Current Tank Info: 60 gal SPS cube, with 25 gal refugium, 400W MH, DIY Lumenarc III, DIY skimmer, DIY stand and canopy. 40 breeder LPS with 40 gallon sump, DIY stand, 250W MH

02/12/2009, 10:50 PM	#10
str8salt Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 60	harlequins. I went from hundreds to none in no time. The problem came after they finished. Hard to keep them up once the asterina are gone.