Asterina question

Discussion in 'General Reef Discussion' started by BrandonW, Sep 27, 2020.

  1. BrandonW

    BrandonW Plankton

    I have always had a fair number of Asterina starfish in my tank that have never given me any reason to think twice. I have however seen a couple these bigger guys in a last couple of months. Based on my reading, Asterina can vary in size by a pretty significant margin, so am I safe to assume these larger ones are just "healthy boys"? I am not really concerned, just wondering is going on in there.
     

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  2. graciesdad

    graciesdad Treasurer Staff Member

    I'd say these are usually safe. But I have heard of them eating zoas. They will definitely multiply. I usually picked them out. I also bought a harlequin shrimp. It will eat them all. Then you pass it on to someone else. It is all they eat.
     
  3. huntindoc

    huntindoc RRMAS BOD Membership Director Staff Member

    I have had asterina's for probably 7 years with no issues. I've read some people say that the darker color ones are the kind that eat zoas but I've had those too without issue. I leave them alone.

    You can for sure get rid of them with a Harlequin shrimp. Once the asterina are gone you can either re-home it like Jason said or buy chocolate chip starfish to feed him. Some people keep the starfish in their sump and cut off a starfish leg every so often to feed to the shrimp.
     

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