Are these tiny seastars reef safe? (pic)

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
P

Pomatomus

Piranha
MFK Member
Jul 7, 2009
1,691
162
81
Sarasota, FL
Hey guys,

I recently set up a 20 gallon SW tank with live sand and live rock. I found these tiny, white (and sometimes brown) starfish on my live rock. So I thought "Cool, free tiny starfish. My gf will love these".

Since then I bought/acquired a long-spine urchin, royal gramma, halloween hermit crab, a sponge, a pink-tipped anemone, and 2 corals: mushroom, and green star polyp.

I just found the a seastar on the star polyp...Do they eat corals? It has shrunk a little bit since I added it 4 days ago.

Tiny Seastar.jpg
 
Sadly they are likely just baby stars... and most stars are, or become omniverous or carniverous as they grow. Many stars consume everything from hard and soft corals, to snails, to clams, and even algae.

That said at their small size they are likely still consuming algae, but if you see them spending to much time on your corals or you see damage then chances are you have a problem. Untill that point enjoy your mini stars haha.

Chances are that the polyp is just adjusting to the tank, and it's not being damaged by the star.
 
Pomatomus;4564617; said:
I think I have identified them to be asterina stars. Here's some useful info: http://www.nano-reef.com/invertebrates/?id=9

One of them looks like it has split recently. It's weird that they reproduce that way.
Click to expand...
I have asterina stars in my tank and they cause zero issues, they just slowly cruise around my tank. However, I do believe some types can cause issues. Just keep an eye on them. Luckily, they dont move fast and they are easy to catch when you see em.
 
i used to have chocolate chip starfish, it looks like starfish breeding in the stores tanks lol. i dont know much about em, i would try and go to a private fish store, where they focus on fish and they always help me out with my aquatic questions. i'd keep em lol, but i would be worried about the hermits eating them more.
 
Well if they are asterina stars then you have an issue, as those eat corals, but at the same time they may not be asterina stars IDing stars that small is hard... good luck to you.
 
Kevin8888;4565084; said:
Well if they are asterina stars then you have an issue, as those eat corals, but at the same time they may not be asterina stars IDing stars that small is hard... good luck to you.
Click to expand...
Maybe I dont have asterinas then? Because mine leave my corals alone. The ones I have are irregular in body shape though...
 
After doing more research, I have found that (like this thread) some say they eat corals, and some say they don't. The irregular shape means that they have recently divided, and are growing new limbs. Once they are equal in length, the star is ready to divide again.

I do aquarium maintenance for a job, and today I saw a bunch of asterina stars in a tank that was loaded with coral. I dunno, maybe it was just too much for them to take down, but either way I just gave the 2 in my tank to my boss.
 
Heathd;4565089; said:
Maybe I dont have asterinas then? Because mine leave my corals alone. The ones I have are irregular in body shape though...
Click to expand...

I say asterina as well...and I think that I have them in my tank. They do not cause problems for me. Biggest one I ever had was a little larger than a quarter.
 
asterina only cause problems if they reproduce like crazy and over populate the tank , my lfs has them in his coral tanks for detritus cleanup , when the detritus runs out they will hunt corals .

i have them in my tanks and just pick out the biggest if i see them getting out of hand .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom