asterina starfish

trentula77 · 04/26/2006, 12:36 PM

I've seen about 10 asterina stars in my tank....I've done a little research on them and there seems to be opposing opinions about them. Some say they aren't reef safe while others say they are harmless algae eaters, one guy even sells his, 6 for $5, he recommends them for refugiums. On GARF's website they have pics of some asterinas and they say all asterinas they've seen aren't reef safe, they use harlequin shrimp to eradicate them from their systems.
I've noticed asterinas in my tank for about a year and I've never seen one prey on coral. However mine look a little different than the ones on GARF's website. Mine are mostly white with grey specs on them. Here's a couple of pics.
I'd like to hear your opinions about them. Thanks!

grenaria · 04/26/2006, 01:14 PM

You're right on the money from what I've read. If you see them on corals, they're not reef safe. Otherwise the majority of them in our tanks are herbivores. I have tons of them in my tanks and have never seen one on a coral.

aztbs · 04/26/2006, 01:15 PM

I added some to my tank. I like to see them in the refugium. They have never harmed anything, I have never seen them on a coral.

NeilPearson · 04/26/2006, 01:30 PM

Mine have never touched a coral either

ADA33 · 04/26/2006, 02:30 PM

I have alot of them and so far have not touched any coral

random_ryan · 04/26/2006, 03:10 PM

I have some too and none of mine have never touched a coral

psimitry · 04/26/2006, 03:32 PM

The prevailing opinion I've heard about them is that technically they're not reef safe, but they're pretty much incapable of causing any significant damage.

The other problem I've heard is that the only way to effectively get rid of them is a harlequin shrimp which can go through about 200# of LR's population in a week and you're left with a starving shrimp.

Frizz · 04/26/2006, 05:45 PM

I would like to know what that gorgeous blue thing is behind the starfish!
Frizz

psimitry · 04/26/2006, 05:47 PM

Looks like a branching frogspawn under some sort of blue lighting (moonlights or actinic light).

trentula77 · 04/26/2006, 08:22 PM

Thanks everyone for your inputs....it gives me peace of mind to know that the rest of you haven't had any problems.

Frizz- psimitry is right, it is a green branching frogspawn w/purple tips under moonlights. It just split into a second polyp.

Frizz · 04/26/2006, 10:44 PM

Thanx!
Frizz

dream54ing · 10/18/2012, 09:35 AM

bump for jc

bambam918 · 10/18/2012, 10:06 AM

I have seen some on my corals but I dont think that makes them a danger. More than likely they are just cleaning what ever has fallen on the coral. Mine have not died or suffered from the asterina stars being on them. I say keep them! no threat

gojk · 10/18/2012, 10:28 AM

Mine each all of my coralline algae. Other than that I have no problem with them.

jimlundborg · 10/18/2012, 11:08 AM

I think I have hundreds of them, or so it seems. I've never noticed then causing any damage except for what gojk mentioned, the do seem to eat the coralline algae

Kobashi · 10/18/2012, 02:57 PM

Too funny Francis! I've been trying to instill in her to get multiple opinions. I don't know this from 1st hand knowledge, but I always erred on the side of cautiousness because I like zoas.

rompininphx · 10/18/2012, 04:09 PM

I've had some that ate zoas. If you add them to the refugium you'll have them in the dt in no time

GustavoAZ · 10/18/2012, 04:13 PM

Some of my larger ones actually have coraline growing on them. They appear to only eat coraline and film algae, I do see them on coral frags but they are always going after the base of it, like a tooth brush getting the spaces in between. Multiply very easily, selling them is kinda silly, they usualy hitchhike in to everyones tank at some time. O' and they go after nori too.

FishBo · 10/18/2012, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GustavoAZ

Some of my larger ones actually have coraline growing on them. They appear to only eat coraline and film algae, I do see them on coral frags but they are always going after the base of it, like a tooth brush getting the spaces in between. Multiple very easily, selling them is kinda silly, they usualy hitchhike in to everyones tank at some time. O' and they go after nori too.

+1. I have hundreds & I watched these little guys for awhile, mainly on Zoas. They will clean the base & I have even seen some cover an entire polyp, only to keep going & the polyp opens right back up.

Sammibaz · 10/19/2012, 02:08 AM

We love ours! Anywhere from 2 to 10 legs (uh, huh! I counted them myself)...what's not to love about another reason to teach my kids everyone is unique!

I've had them for years with no harm. Turn the lights and water flow off overnight, they will ALL be within the top inch of your water line....you'll be surprised how many more you likely have. (*just kidding...don't try this at home! It was just one interesting observation when I was in between transferring everything to a larger tank...the power stayed off for a few hours one night...the morning was a stunning show of about 300!)

04/26/2006, 12:36 PM	#1
trentula77 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 157	asterina starfish I've seen about 10 asterina stars in my tank....I've done a little research on them and there seems to be opposing opinions about them. Some say they aren't reef safe while others say they are harmless algae eaters, one guy even sells his, 6 for $5, he recommends them for refugiums. On GARF's website they have pics of some asterinas and they say all asterinas they've seen aren't reef safe, they use harlequin shrimp to eradicate them from their systems. I've noticed asterinas in my tank for about a year and I've never seen one prey on coral. However mine look a little different than the ones on GARF's website. Mine are mostly white with grey specs on them. Here's a couple of pics. I'd like to hear your opinions about them. Thanks!

04/26/2006, 05:45 PM	#8
Frizz Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Phoenix,Az Posts: 1,310	I would like to know what that gorgeous blue thing is behind the starfish! Frizz __________________ "Beware the lolipop of mediocrity. Lick it once and you suck forever." Current Tank Info: 125 gallon

04/26/2006, 10:44 PM	#11
Frizz Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Phoenix,Az Posts: 1,310	Thanx! Frizz __________________ "Beware the lolipop of mediocrity. Lick it once and you suck forever." Current Tank Info: 125 gallon

10/18/2012, 09:35 AM	#12
dream54ing Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: n. phoenix Posts: 2,356	bump for jc __________________ 450 peninsula Current Tank Info: 96x36x30

10/18/2012, 10:06 AM	#13
bambam918 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Ahwatukee Posts: 601	I have seen some on my corals but I dont think that makes them a danger. More than likely they are just cleaning what ever has fallen on the coral. Mine have not died or suffered from the asterina stars being on them. I say keep them! no threat __________________ 180 DT peninsula with 90 gallon sump. Three Radion Pro's and two Tunze 6105's. bubble magus curve7 and two Jager 300 watt heaters. Temp probe, PH probe and ORP probe. ATS. Mag5 return. BRS dose for CA

04/26/2006, 01:14 PM	#2
grenaria Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Scottsdale Posts: 700	You're right on the money from what I've read. If you see them on corals, they're not reef safe. Otherwise the majority of them in our tanks are herbivores. I have tons of them in my tanks and have never seen one on a coral.

04/26/2006, 01:15 PM	#3
aztbs Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 4,492	I added some to my tank. I like to see them in the refugium. They have never harmed anything, I have never seen them on a coral.

04/26/2006, 01:30 PM	#4
NeilPearson Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,509	Mine have never touched a coral either

04/26/2006, 02:30 PM	#5
ADA33 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Francisco CA Posts: 3,131	I have alot of them and so far have not touched any coral

04/26/2006, 03:10 PM	#6
random_ryan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: West Mesa "still a west sider" Posts: 4,427	I have some too and none of mine have never touched a coral

04/26/2006, 03:32 PM	#7
psimitry Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,560	The prevailing opinion I've heard about them is that technically they're not reef safe, but they're pretty much incapable of causing any significant damage. The other problem I've heard is that the only way to effectively get rid of them is a harlequin shrimp which can go through about 200# of LR's population in a week and you're left with a starving shrimp.

04/26/2006, 05:47 PM	#9
psimitry Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,560	Looks like a branching frogspawn under some sort of blue lighting (moonlights or actinic light).

04/26/2006, 08:22 PM	#10
trentula77 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 157	Thanks everyone for your inputs....it gives me peace of mind to know that the rest of you haven't had any problems. Frizz- psimitry is right, it is a green branching frogspawn w/purple tips under moonlights. It just split into a second polyp.

10/18/2012, 10:28 AM	#14
gojk Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Pima, AZ Posts: 286	Mine each all of my coralline algae. Other than that I have no problem with them.

10/18/2012, 11:08 AM	#15
jimlundborg Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Peoria Arizona Posts: 496	I think I have hundreds of them, or so it seems. I've never noticed then causing any damage except for what gojk mentioned, the do seem to eat the coralline algae __________________ Current tank info: 55 rimless cube

10/18/2012, 02:57 PM	#16
Kobashi Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: N. Phoenix, AZ Posts: 202	Too funny Francis! I've been trying to instill in her to get multiple opinions. I don't know this from 1st hand knowledge, but I always erred on the side of cautiousness because I like zoas. __________________ I'm not a Newbie... I've had some experience... Trust me, I'm much more dangerous! Current Tank Info: All Mixed Reef : QT-8G Nano / Classroom1:12G Nano / Classroom2:20G Tall / Home:72g Bowfront w/ 29g Sump/Fuge

10/18/2012, 04:09 PM	#17
rompininphx Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Phoenix, Az Posts: 598	I've had some that ate zoas. If you add them to the refugium you'll have them in the dt in no time

10/18/2012, 04:13 PM	#18
GustavoAZ minamalist reefer Join Date: May 2007 Location: Surprise AZ Posts: 1,051	Some of my larger ones actually have coraline growing on them. They appear to only eat coraline and film algae, I do see them on coral frags but they are always going after the base of it, like a tooth brush getting the spaces in between. Multiply very easily, selling them is kinda silly, they usualy hitchhike in to everyones tank at some time. O' and they go after nori too. Last edited by GustavoAZ; 10/18/2012 at 05:03 PM.

10/19/2012, 02:08 AM	#20
Sammibaz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 282	We love ours! Anywhere from 2 to 10 legs (uh, huh! I counted them myself)...what's not to love about another reason to teach my kids everyone is unique! I've had them for years with no harm. Turn the lights and water flow off overnight, they will ALL be within the top inch of your water line....you'll be surprised how many more you likely have. (*just kidding...don't try this at home! It was just one interesting observation when I was in between transferring everything to a larger tank...the power stayed off for a few hours one night...the morning was a stunning show of about 300!)