Asterina Starfish: Friend or Foe?

joeychitwood · 04/28/2006, 10:02 AM

I have a lot of what I presume are Asterina starfish (I call them "Lucky Charm" stars) in my 54 corner tank, with the numbers increasing every week. They seem to crawl all over the tank glass when the lights are off. I've never seen them eat any of my corals, day or night.

Between these starfish and a hundred baby snails, the sides of my tank are covered with creatures much of the day and night. Are these starfish beneficial, neutral or harmful to a tank? Should I leave them alone or remove them from the tank?

Travis L. Stevens · 04/28/2006, 10:09 AM

Asterina starfish have a mixed reputation. Some say that there are multiple species and only a few are coral eaters. Others say they only eat coral tissue when their food supply is gone or low. In general, I would just leave them there until you start seeing anything missing. Then just add a pair of Harlequin Shrimp. A beautiful shrimp that only eats starfish

brentp · 04/28/2006, 10:17 AM

People sometimes see them on SPS around areas of recession. But are they just eating algae growing on the previous recession or did they cause the recession? IME, they are grazers and don't hurt anything. If you start seeing them eating live flesh then you know you have a problem species.

socalreefer73 · 04/28/2006, 10:23 AM

I have had them in my tank without issue.

impur · 04/28/2006, 10:32 AM

They eat the coralline in my tank. Thats fine with me cuz i can't scrape the sides. Other than that no problems.

ANNIESREEF · 04/28/2006, 12:10 PM

Same here. They do leave white spots on the coralline on the back of my tank but I can live with that.

Freed · 04/28/2006, 12:13 PM

Friend. I have thousands of them in with dozens of SPS, LPS and softies. They do not harm anything. You can actually see them on the glass with a stomach veil extended on to the algae if you look closely.

04/28/2006, 10:02 AM	#1
joeychitwood Schrödinger's Mod Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 3,488	Asterina Starfish: Friend or Foe? I have a lot of what I presume are Asterina starfish (I call them "Lucky Charm" stars) in my 54 corner tank, with the numbers increasing every week. They seem to crawl all over the tank glass when the lights are off. I've never seen them eat any of my corals, day or night. Between these starfish and a hundred baby snails, the sides of my tank are covered with creatures much of the day and night. Are these starfish beneficial, neutral or harmful to a tank? Should I leave them alone or remove them from the tank? Last edited by joeychitwood; 04/28/2006 at 10:22 AM.

04/28/2006, 10:09 AM	#2
Travis L. Stevens Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Perry, OK Posts: 13,946	Asterina starfish have a mixed reputation. Some say that there are multiple species and only a few are coral eaters. Others say they only eat coral tissue when their food supply is gone or low. In general, I would just leave them there until you start seeing anything missing. Then just add a pair of Harlequin Shrimp. A beautiful shrimp that only eats starfish __________________ Travis Stevens Current Tank Info: Restarting 28g Bowfront

04/28/2006, 10:17 AM	#3
brentp Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Sacramento Posts: 771	People sometimes see them on SPS around areas of recession. But are they just eating algae growing on the previous recession or did they cause the recession? IME, they are grazers and don't hurt anything. If you start seeing them eating live flesh then you know you have a problem species. __________________ Progress is made by lazy men looking for an easier way to do things. Current Tank Info: 150 gallon glass.

04/28/2006, 10:32 AM	#5
impur Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 4,262	They eat the coralline in my tank. Thats fine with me cuz i can't scrape the sides. Other than that no problems. __________________ Great spirits often encounter violent opposition from mediocre minds. Current Tank Info: 75gal, 20gal sump, 6-54w T5 TEK

04/28/2006, 12:10 PM	#6
ANNIESREEF Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 578	Same here. They do leave white spots on the coralline on the back of my tank but I can live with that. __________________ "I don't need a remote control, I rather watch my tank!" Current Tank Info: using Remora Pro HO skimmer ,maxi-jet 900 powerhead & 2-400 powerhead, 45 lbs tonga live rock and 40 lbs live sand

04/28/2006, 10:23 AM	#4
socalreefer73 Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: San Diego, Ca. Posts: 821	I have had them in my tank without issue.

04/28/2006, 12:13 PM	#7
Freed It's what it's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: 41° 2' 45" N 85° 8' 43" W Posts: 7,579	Friend. I have thousands of them in with dozens of SPS, LPS and softies. They do not harm anything. You can actually see them on the glass with a stomach veil extended on to the algae if you look closely. __________________ Freed Current Tank Info: 180gal(1120 watts of MH/VHO light), 60gal "sump", Deltec 601 calcium reactor, Euro Reef CS8-3+ skimmer, 20 gallon QT