simsimbalabim
Member
Found this guy on the glass the other day. stays out most of the time (unlike the other stars). Just wondering what I have. Thanks!
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spsfreak100
Active Member
Looks like an Asternia sp. star to me. They reproduce asexually, thus why often times they will have and odd number of legs. Most species of Asternia will consume calcareous algae, although a few species (which are not often encounted in the aquarium hobby) of Asternia are known for eating the polyps of small polyped scleractinians.
Graham
Graham
simsimbalabim
Member
I haven't seen it eat algae, but I'll keep my fingers crossed!!! So this little guy should be reef safe, right? Thanks for the help!
spsfreak100
Active Member
Originally posted by Bang Guy
I thought Asterina sp. had 6 legs.
Since they reproduce asexually (splitting), one will often have more (or less) legs than the other. I've seen some Asternia sp. in my tank with 2 legs, while I've seen others with as many as 8 legs.
I have no idea what it will eat.
Calcareous Algaes (coralline) are the main part of their diet. I'm unsure if they consume other species of algae other than the Calcareous algae's.
Do you know how you acquired it?
Most come through liverock or corals.
Graham
bang guy
Moderator
Originally posted by SPSfreak100
Since they reproduce asexually (splitting), one will often have more (or less) legs than the other.
Yes. They garner their name from the "comet" effect from their method of reproduction. When a leg begins to grow it looks like a comet or asteroid.
The Starfish pictured clearly is a 5 legged species. There are no missing legs or gaps in its symetrical profile. This is why I do not believe it to be an Asterina sp.
I hope Ophiura corrects me if I'm wrong.
Calcareous Algaes (coralline) are the main part of their diet. I'm unsure if they consume other species of algae other than the Calcareous algae's.
Asterina diets are varied from algae, bacteria, SPS coral to sponges to who knows what. For you to say it only eats calcarious algae is pretty far-fetched unless you have dissected it and know the exact species.
Do you?
I still do not believe it to be Asterina sp. unless Ophiura tells me otherwise.
Most come through liverock or corals.
Duh!!!! How else is it going to happen to visit a hobbiest aquarium?
I asked where it was acquired to help identify the diet. If it came with a newly acquired SPS then guess what... it could possible be an SPS muncher and needs close observation.
spsfreak100
Active Member
Asterina diets are varied from algae, bacteria, SPS coral to sponges to who knows what. For you to say it only eats calcarious algae is pretty far-fetched unless you have dissected it and know the exact species.
Bang,
Would you feel better if I gave you a direct quote from Ophiura?
"Some Asterina are reported to eat coralline algae, but in most tanks, this should not be an issue. Coralline grows fast. The same complaint is made against many urchins, and many people avoid them for this reason. But many people will argue that the coralline regrows quite rapidly anyway. As far as polyps are concerned, that is difficult to say. They will often show up on glass and LR....wandering around...and by default end up in the general area of corals. Have you seen them on the polyps? There may be some out there that will eat polyps, SPS corals, etc, but IMO it is not the common form. Indeed, I have loads of these things reproducing in my nano tanks, but have no SPS corals, which they are often condemned for eating. There is a lot of debate about this issue. Many would argue that the stars may be starving in some systems, and may thus be drawn to eat things they would not normally eat. Others may say that this is an individual issue, and not a species issue. Finally, many would say that the stars are drawn to corals that are weak, stressed or dying due to other issues...something that the stars can most certainly 'smell' and will act on long before we recognize that the corals are ill. If they are causing trouble in your system, then by all means remove them. But I am not sure a harlequin is the best solution to that."
Take Care,
Graham
Bang,
Would you feel better if I gave you a direct quote from Ophiura?
"Some Asterina are reported to eat coralline algae, but in most tanks, this should not be an issue. Coralline grows fast. The same complaint is made against many urchins, and many people avoid them for this reason. But many people will argue that the coralline regrows quite rapidly anyway. As far as polyps are concerned, that is difficult to say. They will often show up on glass and LR....wandering around...and by default end up in the general area of corals. Have you seen them on the polyps? There may be some out there that will eat polyps, SPS corals, etc, but IMO it is not the common form. Indeed, I have loads of these things reproducing in my nano tanks, but have no SPS corals, which they are often condemned for eating. There is a lot of debate about this issue. Many would argue that the stars may be starving in some systems, and may thus be drawn to eat things they would not normally eat. Others may say that this is an individual issue, and not a species issue. Finally, many would say that the stars are drawn to corals that are weak, stressed or dying due to other issues...something that the stars can most certainly 'smell' and will act on long before we recognize that the corals are ill. If they are causing trouble in your system, then by all means remove them. But I am not sure a harlequin is the best solution to that."
Take Care,
Graham
simsimbalabim
Member
Well, I don't have any sps----only soft corals. I haven't seen the starfish grazing the liverock---just cruising the glass. It doesn't seem to be eating anything off the glass. But, then again, it's just made itself present in the last few days...hard to say what it's been eating. I'll keep an eye on it. Would a picture of the bottom of it help?
spsfreak100
Active Member
Originally posted by Bang Guy
Sorry Graham that I went off on you like that.
It's fine. Don't worry about it
I don't see in Ophiura's quote where this star eats coralline.
"Some Asterina are reported to eat coralline algae, but in most tanks, this should not be an issue. Coralline grows fast."
I didn't read anything (yet) from Ophirura's posts that Asternia sp. also ate other species of algae. But, I could be wrong.
Take Care,
Graham
PS. Anybody know where Susan (Ophirura) is? I would love to here her opinion on this.
iechy
Member
I do have to agree with Bang that it does look much more symmetrical than you would expect for one of them. I have had a rash of them lately that I've been pulling out and none have looked as "well formed" as that. The coloration and size do look familiar though and maybe it is related if not the same. I'm sure once Ophiura happens upon this thread it'll all be set straight.
ophiura
Active Member
Well, it took me awhile, but I came across this thread!
Assuming this thing is a hitch hiker, and that it is about the size of a nickel, I would say it is some species of Asterina star...and a very nice picture of one, I might add.
Since most seastar experts (and I am not one, BTW- a brittlestar, a brittlestar, my kingdom for a brittlestar! ) can not distinguish species of Asterina stars, then it is somewhat silly for me to try to do it. However, the fact that it has five symmetrical arms does not mean it is not a species of Asterina. The use of color or number of arms is not considered to be of great value in the determination of species of this genus.
As for what it eats, well seems that I have been somewhat taken out of context here. There are two major complaints I have come across with Asterina stars, and that is what I addressed above, and will clarify here.
(1) If they don't eat all your SPS corals then they will (2) eat all of your coralline algae. Recently, GARF made them out to be so evil that they would eat just about any coral you've got. I don't feel any of this is necessarily the case, MOST of the time.
They MAY eat coralline algae, but I in no way meant to imply that they eat SPS coral or coralline algae exclusively. Most of these are 'reef safe' in the same way Linckia sp stars are...meaning, we THINK they feed on algal/bacterial films, encrusting things (sponges, bryozoans) or the variety of critters that feed on bacterial films. But the diet, specifically, is poorly known.
Some eat coral, some eat coralline, and most (apparently) eat things that make them 'reef safe' in our estimation.
But, they may be quite flexible with regard to their dietary abilities, being drawn to opportunities as they present themselves. This, as I was quoted above, may explain the random appearance of individuals drawn to certain corals in certain tanks. They may smell the dying corals.
Since they often wander on the glass, it is safe to presume that the algal/bacterial film- or critters that feed on it- diet is not too far fetched. But always keep an eye out. Regardless, seastars do not wander aimlessly until they happen upon a coral...they can 'smell' their world quite well.
So, watch it and (most likely) enjoy!
Assuming this thing is a hitch hiker, and that it is about the size of a nickel, I would say it is some species of Asterina star...and a very nice picture of one, I might add.
Since most seastar experts (and I am not one, BTW- a brittlestar, a brittlestar, my kingdom for a brittlestar!
) can not distinguish species of Asterina stars, then it is somewhat silly for me to try to do it. However, the fact that it has five symmetrical arms does not mean it is not a species of Asterina. The use of color or number of arms is not considered to be of great value in the determination of species of this genus.As for what it eats, well seems that I have been somewhat taken out of context here. There are two major complaints I have come across with Asterina stars, and that is what I addressed above, and will clarify here.
(1) If they don't eat all your SPS corals then they will (2) eat all of your coralline algae. Recently, GARF made them out to be so evil that they would eat just about any coral you've got. I don't feel any of this is necessarily the case, MOST of the time.
They MAY eat coralline algae, but I in no way meant to imply that they eat SPS coral or coralline algae exclusively. Most of these are 'reef safe' in the same way Linckia sp stars are...meaning, we THINK they feed on algal/bacterial films, encrusting things (sponges, bryozoans) or the variety of critters that feed on bacterial films. But the diet, specifically, is poorly known.
Some eat coral, some eat coralline, and most (apparently) eat things that make them 'reef safe' in our estimation.
But, they may be quite flexible with regard to their dietary abilities, being drawn to opportunities as they present themselves. This, as I was quoted above, may explain the random appearance of individuals drawn to certain corals in certain tanks. They may smell the dying corals.
Since they often wander on the glass, it is safe to presume that the algal/bacterial film- or critters that feed on it- diet is not too far fetched. But always keep an eye out. Regardless, seastars do not wander aimlessly until they happen upon a coral...they can 'smell' their world quite well.
So, watch it and (most likely) enjoy!