Wanted - Mass Asterina Extermination

[elfloyd]

I need to explore solutions for getting rid of asterina starfish. I have millions... and they are devastating my zoa population. I've already lost two colonies and am trying to protect the rest by dipping and picking them off colonies I can remove from the tank.

I know harlequin shrimp will eventually do the job... but what other alternatives do I have? These things are probably multiplying faster that a pair of H/S could eat them!

 

[acroholic]

elFloyd;635336 wrote: I need to explore solutions for getting rid of asterina starfish. I have millions... and they are devastating my zoa population. I've already lost two colonies and am trying to protect the rest by dipping and picking them off colonies I can remove from the tank.

I know harlequin shrimp will eventually do the job... but what other alternatives do I have? These things are probably multiplying faster that a pair of H/S could eat them!

I only know of Harleys as an answer besides manual removal, and manual removal sounds pretty futile in your case.

 

[jdabs]

I only had one harley in my 135 and he did a pretty good number on my population of stars in short order! I would think if you picked up a pair that they would surprise you! Plus, it's fun watching them stick and eat the stars!!

 

[crew]

I have a ton of these guys too, not sure where they come from but that is pretty standard... if I introduce a harley, is my sand sifting starfish going to be ok?? it,s roughly the size of my palm

Im assuming these little guys are the reason my zoas are suffering (haven't seen any nudi's)

 

[elfloyd]

Will probably go with the H/S, but always like to weigh all options.

 

[hhughes]

I got a harlequin for mine. He's doing the job but slowly. It's been about 6weeks and I still have some asterinas. He hasn't touched my serpent star but sand sifters are slower so might need to do something about that.

 

[rockdog]

Bag the up for me, or i can come get them. My harley has almose eliminated all mine and I think he ay be getting hungry. I will be doing surgery on a CC star soon...

Jason

 

[ralph atl]

larger wrasses........

 

[elfloyd]

Rockdog;635409 wrote: Bag the up for me, or i can come get them. My harley has almose eliminated all mine and I think he ay be getting hungry. I will be doing surgery on a CC star soon...

Jason

Hey Jason.... I am trying to avoid disturbing everything in the tank by removing these things by hand!!!! lol

 

[gnashty]

I had a harley clear out hundreds in a very short time, a few days max. He ultimately dissappered during the tank swap along with a pep shrimp. I always think one day Ill see him....

 

[mvm]

Yeah, a pair of Harley's will clear them faster than you think.

 

[cr500_af]

I guess I need to add a second. I have what I'd call an average asterina population, and I see my harlequin out every night eating, but he is just keeping up with them; I'm not seeing a noticeable decrease in numbers.

 

[jcook54]

I was in the same boat and manual removal has worked pretty good. They seem to come out towards the end of the light cycle when the actinics are on. I know it seems futile but I just HAD to do something so I started picking with a good pair of tweezers. Sometimes I'd get 30+ and some other times I'd just get a few. I've kept it up and things seem to be a little better.

 

[crew]

My sand sifter can really move when he wants to, but I doubt as fast as a serpent star.. So harleys eat all types of starfish?? I feel like the sand sifter woul be safe strictly because of it's size but maybe not?

Edit: I've found online that no starfish is safe with these harleys.

I will be buying a Harley (anyone know where?) does anyone want to look after sushi(sand sifting star) for me for a couple weeks?

 

[mapleredta]

Crew;635646 wrote: My sand sifter can really move when he wants to, but I doubt as fast as a serpent star.. So harleys eat all types of starfish?? I feel like the sand sifter woul be safe strictly because of it's size but maybe not?

Edit: I've found online that no starfish is safe with these harleys.

I will be buying a Harley (anyone know where?) does anyone want to look after sushi(sand sifting star) for me for a couple weeks?

Like you found, no starfish is safe. I've always been amazed by them. Beautiful specimens.

 

[rachell321]

I can look after him.. How hard is it to catch him in a reef tank? Or if you can wait a week or so I have a new 20 g with nothing in it but sand and rock i set up a few weeks ago.

 

[crew]

He is pretty easy to catch, he's out almost every night

 

[rjrgroup]

Nemo on Indian Trail has a big one in stock.

Crew;635646 wrote:
I will be buying a Harley (anyone know where?)

I found the best solution for me was to give my Zoas to Robb...