Should I be scared?

[k3nnyp]

I'm being invaded by small starfish. I've only seen 2 or 3 in the past, which my explain the explosion. I haven't counted but I'm seeing at least a dozen and some are a over 1cm in size. I have yet to see any on a coral but the sudden increase has me wondering if I should be pulling them out.

 

[kilralpine]

Those are reef safe sand sifting stars as far as I can tell. I wouldn't worry about it unless you physically see them climbing on and irritating corals.

 

[k3nnyp]

Thanks. I was hoping they were nothing to worry about.

 

[ripped tide]

Looks like an asterina star. Pest to some, pleasure to others.

 

[jennm]

I agree with Dylan. They're Asterinas not sand sifters. Most are harmless and eat algae and bacterial films. There is a type that munches corals, so keep an eye out for that but those are in the minority.

If you really find them bothersome, you can get a Harlequin Shrimp or two to munch them - but they will also eat desirable sea stars so if you have one you don't want eaten you'd have to put it out of harm's way.

And after the Harlequins clean up your Asterinas, you would either have to re-home them or supply them with sea stars to eat, as that is ALL that they eat.

Jenn

 

[frantz]

I have hear some eat coral, but non in my tank have ever been caught in the act so I let them go.

 

[nathannano]

i go on a hunt for them once a week at night and grab them up with some tongs. I do this because i saw them eating some zoas.. probably just eating the decaying part that all ready was dieing, but since then i have declared war. i have a cup full of them next to my tank 8)

 

[k3nnyp]

Thanks everyone. I will keep an eye on them for now.

 

[k3nnyp]

Figured I would provide an update. These little stars are becoming more and more prevalent in my tank and I find them occasionally feeding on zoa polyps. I can't confirm the after affect but they are certainly covering the polyp. I'm not a big fan of intervening and certainly of trashing them but I have resulted in picking them out as they are in a convenient location.

I see it as Darwinism at its most bizarre. The star is obviously far superior in development although my zoas are much more attractive so the stars have got to go. Reminds me of dating.