Asterina spp

[G.Alexander]

Found those little starfish several times eating for sure the tissue of Pocilopora / Stylophora and Seriatopora corals.







They look identical to the grey / green ones they usually do not harm corals, however those orange ones do it for sure. Other corals where not affected, so far …

G.Alexander

[doodie]

Hi Alexander,

I have had the same problems with these stars, but also with the larger of the green stars.

Check this thread out...
http://www.reefpark.net/forums/index...3225&hl=doodie

Thx

D

[G.Alexander]

Thanks for the link Doodie.

Would you mind to post the pictures here also as you need to be a member to view them ?

G.Alexander

[doodie]

*Dec 4 2006, 02:15 PM originally posted on Reefpark.net*

Ok got home last night and saw another friggin starfish munchin on one of my frags. Got pics this time:

Starfish sucking on my frag :

*

Got a pair of tweezers and removed the starfish...look at the damage to the frag :



Frag eater next to 5p for size comparison:



Right, I have loads of these little starfish in my reef tank which seem to exclusively feed on algae especially coraline. For comparison I hooked out an algae eater and photographed it alongside the frag eater (the Frag eater is on the right of the pic):




You can definately see a difference in size and colour close up. From afar they do look like any other little algae eating starfish in my reef which is concerning.

[Aged Salt]

Now that's scary,as I have many of the white Asterinas but haven't seen any of the darker, larger ones on the corals Great pix's, btw.

Dave, is that frag a seriatopora?

Alexander, how much damage did they do? Thnx. Bob

[doodie]

Originally Posted by Aged Salt

Now that's scary,as I have many of the white Asterinas but haven't seen any of the darker, larger ones on the corals Great pix's, btw.

Dave, is that frag a seriatopora?

Alexander, how much damage did they do? Thnx. Bob

Hi Bob,

Yes it is, and I would just like to add that it has made a full recovery

I would advise that if you do have these in your tank, to watch them carefully. I have a hunch that these little algae eating starfish, when mature, change their feeding habits.

I have also noted that the population of these starfish depends on the amount of coraline in the tank. The less coraline, the less starfish. I have managed to reduce the population by manual removal and limiting coraline growth.

Best

David

[Aged Salt]

It seems I've noticed an increase population of these white asterinas after feeding FOE's?? Anyone else note this association? Bob

[G.Alexander]

Hi Bob, the damage was not much as I removed the starfish as soon as I have seen the damage. They seem not to hide at the daily light period which makes it easy to find them. He munched a area of about a finger nail until I removed him, this damage seemed to be done over night. As I have enough algae in the tank, I do not think eating the tissue was a act of desperation

G.Alexander

[CrabShot]

I caught them munching my zoa



This should be my 1st post.. Hi to all

[G.Alexander]

Hi CrabShot



G.Alexander