Starfish?

[Quang]

One of my snails died and stank up the water. In the process of doing a water change...I found this fella. Don't know where he would come from....:headache: Is it a starfish?....its hard to identify with it being so small and incomplete. THe color is pretty accurate.
Anyone knows? Good/Bad? Thx.

 

[nanoreefer22]

They're fine. I've got tons of them, literally. Don't bother anything at all. Just be wary of the fact, they reproduce like crazy. They seem to eat algae and in a small tank they'd probably be beneficial if kept under control. I even have some in my sump and have no clue how they got there.

 

[prattreef]

Asterina species I believe. I agree they are harmless, but I'm not sure they only eat algae. Mine seem to find their way to anything dead or dying. It is not uncommon for them to cling to dying branches of coral, but in my experience they do not cause any damage. I believe their is a similar looking species that is thought to eat coral, or so a lot of European hobbyists claim. These were first introduced to the local hobby by Joe Yaiullo (then of the NY Aquarium in Coney Island), 10+ years ago and have since proliferated in local systems without issue. They reproduce rapidly by breaking off little pieces of their legs (as in your photo) and each piece grows into a new individual... thus their appreance in your sump Kris.

I like 'em Randy

 

[masterswimmer]

I'm in agreement with pratt. It definitely looks like an asterina. Funny thing about the reproducing though. I've had only one in my tank for well, forever. It was a hitchhiker on something. It has not reproduced at all in my tank. My Linckia has, but not my lonely asterina.

BTW, I like them too.

Russ

 

[fishywoo]

Warning Warning - these are sps eating Starfish. Losing those legs is how they subdivide.1 becomes 2 2becomes4 ect. There is a story on them at www.garf.org look under aquarium pests. When I found out what they where and saw them chowing down on my green slimer I decided it was time to rid them from my tank. I had to use tweezers to remove them as I saw them. I stopped counting at 1200 and am still battling the pesky little things. They also eat softies. Again check the Garf website.

 

[dreko]

Hey Paul,
really those little starfish are predatory??
I bought some a long time ago from Inland aquatics.. thought they were harmless...
I'll check out the Garf link..
Did you kill all the planaria?

 

[dreko]

Ok read the link
It looks like these starfish from frogiebunbun might be what inland aquatics calls "Star, Micro"
The Garf ones are brown, I think these guys are just white/very light colored...

 

[nanoreefer22]

Warning Warning - these are sps eating Starfish. Losing those legs is how they subdivide.1 becomes 2 2becomes4 ect. There is a story on them at www.garf.org look under aquarium pests. When I found out what they where and saw them chowing down on my green slimer I decided it was time to rid them from my tank. I had to use tweezers to remove them as I saw them. I stopped counting at 1200 and am still battling the pesky little things. They also eat softies. Again check the Garf website.

Must disagree with this. I've got tons of them in an 95% SPS tank and nothing ever harms them[the sps]. It's probably a different star cause the ones I have don't bother a thing .

 

[fishywoo]

Andre why don't you drop over and check them out I'm still battling them.

 

[Quang]

Ok read the link
It looks like these starfish from frogiebunbun might be what inland aquatics calls "Star, Micro"
The Garf ones are brown, I think these guys are just white/very light colored...

So I guess they are OK then? LOL...I always get these polarized views whenever I post a questions (same thing with the flatworms). It's all fun tho because it comes with the hobbies. I checked out the Garf page and they look a tad browner than mine. Thanks again all. I think I'll side with Kris on this one....

 

[masterswimmer]

fbb, I'd side with Kris on this one too. The Garf predatory stars are different IMO.

master

 

[noodleman]

Just keep the star for now and if you see any signs of damage just remove it since you got a small tank that should be pretty easy

 

[fishywoo]

Froggie sorry I hope I didn't alarm you. Maybe the guys are right. I have been battling the sps eating type for awile now. As I said I have removed over 1200 of the little suckers. They are similar but are definately more brownish. Just keep an eye on it you'll know if its likes a little taste of something reefy.

 

[Quang]

It's no problem woo. Good luck with your tank. Now I know what to look out for! Thks

 

[jenniebutterfly]

i have a ton, so it coulda came from me. they never hurt a thing.