Brad, I think I might need a harlequin..

[EmilyB]

Seems those white innocent stars have invaded... :eek:

http://www.members.shaw.ca/beans666/StarsDSC00005_rs.JPG

[Aquattro]

scoop them out and send them over!!

[Bob I]

I can't seem to tell from the picture, but are you talking about those multi-armed small hitchiker stars? Has there been a determination if they are harmful or not? :confused:

[EmilyB]

The rocks were just covered with them, and I am pretty certain now they are munching on the coraline. :mad: My first hint was when they moved off the rock and there were all these little white marks..... :eek:

I just can't imagine how long it would take me to pick these things off one by one.....I can't even reach most places in the tank. Maybe a glob of gum on a stick... :lol:

[Aquattro]

I think the gum on a stick might work great!!

[Van down by the river]

Emily you always seem to have something interesting going on! You've definitely got a blue thumb.Next time you are in Vancouver I'll get you to "bless" my tank :biggrin: What you have looks like a Asterina sp.
maybe Asterina burtoni Generally they are considered harmless. Many of the species range from 20mm to 50mm so they will stay small. You have a "bloom" of them because either one divided by it's oral disc, or more likely the parent star was brooding young. Little is known about their reproduction so They may be able to reproduce asexually. They are noted as general detritus feeders and shouldn't be a threat to anything large. You may find that wrasses or larger fish pick off the odd one.

Anyways, if you are looking for new homes for them let me know. I've always got a place for little critters. If you can get something closer up I will check more sources.

So what will you post next week?

[Aquattro]

Van, Em had given me some of these already and yes, they are asterina sp. stars. Cute litle suckers, although I have seen them scraping corraline from the glass. No biggie though, I have lots of corraline.

[EmilyB]

I'm running out of starfish stories..... :wink:

CAUTION: HORRIBLE PHOTOS TO FOLLOW.. :eek:

I always thought they were white, but obviously not. Whiter on the underside tho.

Splendid macro photography here... :rolleyes:

http://www.members.shaw.ca/bhadford1/starclose.JPG

They are kind of amusing at times....cute little fella's

http://www.members.shaw.ca/bhadford1/Stars2DSC00009_rs.JPG

Notice the strangely "star shaped" white marks after they leave the rock...

http://www.members.shaw.ca/bhadford1/StarsRockDSC00002_rs.JPG

[Van down by the river]

I'm curious if coralline is there "first choice" food or if they are eating it as they can't find anything else. Have you noticed anything else they seem to like? What about you Reef_raf same behaviour in your tank?
Maybe I can get a few from you next time you are in Van.

[EmilyB]

mine spend a lot of time on the back and side glass as well (where I clean less). I presume they are grazing algae there. Then they seem to crash for a sleep on the rock and a lazy coraline munch......

[Doug]

Mmmmm, says my mandarin. They are his favorite food. Like eatin "tater" chips. :biggrin:

[EmilyB]

Really Doug ? I've got a mandarin in there but it has never shown any interest. You must have a BIG mandarin, mine is only two years here and his mouth is way too small for these.

[Aquattro]

Doug, I agree. You'd need a big mandarin to eat these!! They're up to a 1/4" across.

[Doug]

Ohh, :redface: Must be different. Mine are little white stars, that are well visable but a mag glass is needed to see the star shape. Guess thats something else.

The mandarin picks them off the glass.

[Tau2301]

Em... can I have some. They look great on a dinner plate.

[AJ_77]

Don't think you'd enjoy them Kim, unless this is you:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/mar2003/gallery.htm

Yum!

[Tau2301]

Alan, good link.

It's a good thing I took the time to read the article as we all know that a starfish's mouth and a**hole are the same. :mrgreen:

Em... I don't think I want any now.

[EmilyB]

I'm going to send Brad about a hundred, so that should make a dent in the population :lol: