I just recently set up a marine aquarium, and i have all of these little white/gray starfish spreading around the tank. ive been doing some research and found out that they are asterina starfish, but havent been about to find much info on them. can anyone help me out and shed some light on this species for me? thanks!
Asterina Starfish
- Thread starter laxplaya8613
- Start date
basically just a little species of starfish that comes in on live rock.. it's not a problem unless you just don't like the looks of em. they'll act as part of your cleanup crew if you keep em in there
here is a nice link to give you some info
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/ac/feature/index.php
mr.reef24
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/ac/feature/index.php
mr.reef24
Actually Asterinas are hit and miss as far as their diet goes.
Many are detrivores that eat detritus and algae and function as a clean up crew, and some are coralivores that eat coral polyps. I have seen both over the years and they look very similar. If you have corals and these starfish do not pose a problem to them, than you will be fine. If they are a problem and are affecting corals, then I would remove them.
It is strictly hit and miss as to which one you have.
Many are detrivores that eat detritus and algae and function as a clean up crew, and some are coralivores that eat coral polyps. I have seen both over the years and they look very similar. If you have corals and these starfish do not pose a problem to them, than you will be fine. If they are a problem and are affecting corals, then I would remove them.
It is strictly hit and miss as to which one you have.