Little White star fish?

gburton · 02/26/2007, 11:37 PM

My tank is fairly new and we are developing these little white things that look like star fish. They are on the front of the glass. Are they good or bad? Our tank is really, really coming alive at night with the red lite on. WOW!

naterealbig · 02/26/2007, 11:54 PM

So hard to tell with no picture. If they look like starfish then they probably are, I have hundreds of tiny ones in my LR tank. The underside is white, but the top of them is orange

Fmellish · 02/27/2007, 12:02 AM

Probably Asterina stars.

Some consider them a nuisance since they increase in numbers quickly and can cover corals and rock.

They are usually introduced on a frag. Dipping new additions in Iodine can help.

But lots of people don't mind them. There is no real proof they hurt anything.

Josh

miked0523 · 02/27/2007, 02:42 AM

I have had them for years and they are harmless. They can become a nuissance when a tank becomes unbalanced. They reproduce by dropping legs.

gburton · 02/27/2007, 03:16 PM

They are very tiny in size, about the size of a pin head. Anyone know the name of them?

cowboyswife · 02/27/2007, 03:21 PM

Look something like this? If so, it is an Asterina.

DSMpunk · 02/27/2007, 03:42 PM

There are many different species of Asterinas. Most are harmless, but some are predatory.

Unforturnately I have some that seem to like my Zoanthids =(

Big L.E.E. · 02/27/2007, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gburton
They are very tiny in size, about the size of a pin head. Anyone know the name of them?

If they are that small they are probably hydroids. They tend to disappear after a month or two.

Go to Chuck's Hitchhiker Page, http://home2.pacific.net.ph/~sweetyu...hitchodds.html, and scroll down about halfway for pictures.

02/26/2007, 11:37 PM	#1
gburton Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cascades in Oregon Posts: 134	Little White star fish? My tank is fairly new and we are developing these little white things that look like star fish. They are on the front of the glass. Are they good or bad? Our tank is really, really coming alive at night with the red lite on. WOW! __________________ Thanks, GB Remember that Life is short, Play hard Current Tank Info: 75gal, 240w lites, sump, 52lbs LR, 100lbds sand, coralife 125 gal. skimmer, ocean runner 650gph pump, 2 maxijet 1200, turbo, narsarius, bumble bee snails, hermit, emerald crabs, 1 tomato, 1 sebea clown, 1 watchman Gobie.

02/26/2007, 11:54 PM	#2
naterealbig Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 2,252	So hard to tell with no picture. If they look like starfish then they probably are, I have hundreds of tiny ones in my LR tank. The underside is white, but the top of them is orange __________________ My skimmate has notes of saffron, and a hint of lilac.

02/27/2007, 03:16 PM	#5
gburton Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cascades in Oregon Posts: 134	They are very tiny in size, about the size of a pin head. Anyone know the name of them? __________________ Thanks, GB Remember that Life is short, Play hard Current Tank Info: 75gal, 240w lites, sump, 52lbs LR, 100lbds sand, coralife 125 gal. skimmer, ocean runner 650gph pump, 2 maxijet 1200, turbo, narsarius, bumble bee snails, hermit, emerald crabs, 1 tomato, 1 sebea clown, 1 watchman Gobie.

02/27/2007, 03:21 PM	#6
cowboyswife Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Deltona FL Posts: 2,187	Look something like this? If so, it is an Asterina. __________________ "The voice of the sea speaks to the soul." - Kate Chopin ~Becca Current Tank Info: Out of the hobby for the time being. But Im sticking around anyway!

02/27/2007, 03:42 PM	#7
DSMpunk Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Des Moines IA Posts: 1,064	There are many different species of Asterinas. Most are harmless, but some are predatory. Unforturnately I have some that seem to like my Zoanthids =( __________________ -Sean Current Tank Info: SPS Dominated 150

02/27/2007, 12:02 AM	#3
Fmellish Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 2,111	Probably Asterina stars. Some consider them a nuisance since they increase in numbers quickly and can cover corals and rock. They are usually introduced on a frag. Dipping new additions in Iodine can help. But lots of people don't mind them. There is no real proof they hurt anything. Josh

02/27/2007, 02:42 AM	#4
miked0523 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: michigan Posts: 59	I have had them for years and they are harmless. They can become a nuissance when a tank becomes unbalanced. They reproduce by dropping legs.