Little white starfish

[flower]

I read these astrea stars are harmless like sea slugs, I have a ton of tiny babies…the only thing to survive the heater malfunction I guess. Are they dangerous to a reef, should I be worried? Will my fish eat them? Will they die off on their own?
The only thing I can find on the web are others with the same questions, and then nothing but speculation for answers...

 

[clown-lover]

I was told that they multiply like crazy, and that if they have a lack of food...algae I guess (coraline i think)...they can eat corals.

 

[btldreef]

I have two tanks that are packed with them (along with a lot of coral) and I've noticed know negatives. My Naso does occasionally pick at one here or there, but usually spits it out. From my understanding the white ones do NOT eat coral, but there is a variety with a different coloration that "can" eat coral in a low nutrient tank.

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by BTLDreef
http:///forum/post/3274250
I have two tanks that are packed with them (along with a lot of coral) and I've noticed know negatives. My Naso does occasionally pick at one here or there, but usually spits it out. From my understanding the white ones do NOT eat coral, but there is a variety with a different coloration that "can" eat coral in a low nutrient tank.

Thanks, I feel better...mine are solid white

 

[meowzer]

So were mine Flower...and I cought one eating a zoa in the 225G. I have them all over the place in all 3 tanks. In the 29 and 54 I never saw any issues so I left them. In the 225G after I saw it eat the zoa, I thinned them out.....I still have some....just don't let them get too crazy anymore
OHHHH...I also remove a lot of the bigger ones from the 225G just in case

 

[robertmathern]

You know I hear about these stars all over peoples tanks. I almsot wish I had this problem (thats probably cuz I dont lol) I have one that lives in my overflow so he never hurts anything and thats the only one I got. But I have low nutrents and all for them to thrive I guess. I have herd of them eating coral but thats pretty far and few between. Just keep an eye on him and you will be fine.

 

[btldreef]

Yes, if you have a low nutrient system, they'll starve or turn to corals, but 90% of the time, they're harmless.

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by BTLDreef
http:///forum/post/3274281
Yes, if you have a low nutrient system, they'll starve or turn to corals, but 90% of the time, they're harmless.

I have allot of tiny little dots with bumps for legs...I used to only see one with a gimpy leg. I don't think they are perfect stars in shape.

 

[cranberry]

astrea= snail
asterina=starfish
Many critters are opportunistic, but I also think it's an issue of different species equals different food favourites. Some may be born to eat corals where others are born to eat film algae etc.

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3274418
astrea= snail
asterina=starfish
Many critters are opportunistic, but I also think it's an issue of different species equals different food favourites. Some may be born to eat corals where others are born to eat film algae etc.

I have seen these only on the glass, never on rocks or corals, but being so tiny I wouldn’t be able to see them on rocks...nothing looks munched on. What, if anything eats them?

 

[cranberry]

I've never seen those tiny ones bother any corals. My friend had a million of them in his tank.