small starfish
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Help
Forum Name: General Help
Forum Description: The place to ask about pest, problems, hitchhikers, etc.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=66593
Printed Date: May 14 2025 at 1:27am
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Topic: small starfish
Posted By: lskurys
Subject: small starfish
Date Posted: September 16 2013 at 7:05pm
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I have had a lot of ups and downs with my tank with it getting to it's 1 year mark. For the most part things are doing much better. That being said I seem to be having an out break of small starfish and they seem to be around all of the corals that are still trying to recover. There are hundreds or even maybe thousands of them through out the tank. What options to I have to take care of them or are they not even going to cause a problem. Pick of some of them  ------------- 220g , large elite aquatics sump. 3 Radion Pro Gen 3 lights 3 Mp 40's |
Replies:
Posted By: reefnfeef
Date Posted: September 16 2013 at 7:16pm
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Looks like Asterina starfish. I believe they like to eat coralline algae but can also be beneficial as far as CUC goes. ------------- aaaaaaaaaaaaaannd.... I'm broke |
Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: September 16 2013 at 7:28pm
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There are a ton of species of Asterina starfish...some good...some bad...and I haven't figured out a way to tell yet which is which. I've had some blue-bodied ones going after SPS...red splotched ones eating LPS. Then, I've had similar ones just cleaning up the glass. *Sigh* The best way I can tell the bad from the good is by the evidence left. SPS will display a jagged white line where the starfish were munching away. LPS will usually have a completely bare skeleton overnight (the starfish will cover the coral, extend its guts, and digest huge portions). If you think they're a problem, a Harlequin shrimp is your best bet, but please be prepared to supplement its feedings (they like bigger portions that they can haul back to their cave rather than hunting constantly.) ------------- www.reefdup.com Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987 200g, 75g, & 15g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water |
Posted By: lskurys
Date Posted: September 16 2013 at 7:54pm
Thanks for the reply! I was hoping that harlequin shrimp was not the best option. I have pulled the starfish off of several of my sps and they are the sps that have been having problems recovering from all my other past issues. So with a harlequin shrimp will my serpent stars and sand sifting stars be ok? I keep reading that they will and will not be ok with a harlequin in the tank. ------------- 220g , large elite aquatics sump. 3 Radion Pro Gen 3 lights 3 Mp 40's |
ReefdUp wrote:Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: September 16 2013 at 8:03pm
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Keep in mind that the starfish may be eating decaying tissue...or they may be eating healthy tissue. It's hard to tell. I don't know of any other starfish-only option other than manual removal...which is nearly impossible IMO for your size tank. And no...the harlequins will go after your other stars. If your sand sifter surfaces, the harlequin will go after it if it is not 100% full. I can drop a starfish into the tank, and the harlequin will nearly immediately know and start searching for it. They often avoid large brittle starfish as the brittle starfish don't have the freeze reaction of other starfish (most starfish freeze upon attack, which makes it easy for the shrimp to handle.) You might get lucky, but...if there's a way to fail, it'll happen. ------------- www.reefdup.com Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987 200g, 75g, & 15g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water |
Posted By: rwgoose
Date Posted: September 16 2013 at 9:31pm
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i have heard with a harlequin shrimp, the long legged fast moving star fish are just fine.. but the typical short legged slow moving have problems.. i hear that it is due to the fact that the long legged can move thier legs to get the shrimp off of them.. myself, i have not dared to try one for my asternia problem.. if you try it out let the forum know what you find.. ------------- getting fishy?? 8016348673 |
Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: September 17 2013 at 4:03am
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Fatman just lost his green brittle starfish to his harlequin. Every wild creature is different, so plan for the worst. ------------- www.reefdup.com Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987 200g, 75g, & 15g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water |