Two Baby Starfish!! How is this Possible?

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

I've never had mine reach "plague" numbers and almost always see a few to a few dozen on the glass. I must have the algae-eating variety, since never found them to pose any danger to my zoas or other corals [knock on wood]

Anything that gets into the 1000s in our tanks would cause a major problem I would imagine. A few bristleworms, good for scavenging uneaten foods. Thousands of them make touching anything in your tank a major hazard. Even certain types of corals. I love pulsing xenia but if they reach into the 1000s, then they are a weed that smother everything else and turns your tank "brown".

As with most things in life, moderation is better than overwhelming amounts.

Anthony

[LeanneP]

Thanks for all the input. I hate to kill them. They are so cute! But don't really want them to over take my tank either.

[LoJack]

There are two different species of asterina's if you research them further.

From what I've read, the 5 legged variety are perfectly reef safe.

The 6 legged versions are your zoa and star polyp eaters

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by LeanneP

Thanks for all the input. I hate to kill them. They are so cute! But don't really want them to over take my tank either.

My approach with anything is leave it alone unless it becomes a problem. They're not real fast, so if you have to remove them, it's easy enough. I have hundreds of them, never an issue.

[paddyob]

Originally Posted by FishyFishy!

Thats why I said harmless in small numbers there slugger!

It was a multi quote.

[daniella3d]

in deed, some of them **** off zoanthids enough so that they close and melt away.

I don't have many of them but when ever I see one on a zoanthid polyp I remove it from my tank.

But the large amphipods are probably those who ate your zoanthids. They come out at night and chew on the zoanthids. Check ou at night if you have them on your zoanthids.

Originally Posted by paddyob

Not harmless. I let them outa control once. Had 1000s. Killed all my zoos.

[paddyob]

Originally Posted by daniella3d

in deed, some of them **** off zoanthids enough so that they close and melt away.

I don't have many of them but when ever I see one on a zoanthid polyp I remove it from my tank.

But the large amphipods are probably those who ate your zoanthids. They come out at night and chew on the zoanthids. Check ou at night if you have them on your zoanthids.

Trust me. It was the stars. They either ate them or smothered them out.

And to add to that... They also block light on SPS. I was constantly basting my sps. They would leave white patches on the tissue.


At night with lights off... You could easily find 300+ on the glass àlone. Not counting what you could see covering the rocks. Once you get too many. The algae supply runs lower. Then they go after other things.

It matters not to me what others do with their tanks. The debate on safe or not is only for those who don't know the damage they can do first hand.

So go ahead. Debate. But if you want to make sure, take them out.

Everyone told me they were safe too.

Good luck !

[LeanneP]

Well, I counted legs and I have 6 legs on my starfish and I have to say two of my zoa's are already not looking too happy so I think that I will have to go on a starfish hunt. Thanks for all the info.

Leanne