Star Fish

[stefday]

Are all star fish ok for a reef tank?

Noticed what I think was a very small one that must have been in some live rock this morning.

Now cant see it but wondered if I should see it again whether to leave it in or take it out?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[seffieuk]

Problem with many star fish is they get large and starve - leave the one you have seen and just watch and wait it's probably a brittle star or a asterina

Can you get us a photo?

Seffie x

 

[milkton]

some asterinas arent reef safe (heads up)

 

[xxBarneyxx]

some asterinas arent reef safe (heads up)

True, some arent. However the vast majority of them are. They can reproduce quickly (they drop off legs which grow into new starfish) but most of the time they feed on algae and left over food (so are a useful part of the cuc).

I would leave them be, if you find they start hanging out constantly on a coral then you could have a problem but most of them are perfectly reef safe. I have loads in my tank and they dont do any harm at all. Wasn't too many years ago that reef keepers classed asterinas as essential cuc where as now they have a rep for being coral eating predators

 

[-Nemo-]

some asterinas arent reef safe (heads up)

True, some arent. However the vast majority of them are. They can reproduce quickly (they drop off legs which grow into new starfish) but most of the time they feed on algae and left over food (so are a useful part of the cuc).

I would leave them be, if you find they start hanging out constantly on a coral then you could have a problem but most of them are perfectly reef safe. I have loads in my tank and they dont do any harm at all. Wasn't too many years ago that reef keepers classed asterinas as essential cuc where as now they have a rep for being coral eating predators

Agreed. I find myself blessed to have them. They really help out

 

[milkton]

some asterinas arent reef safe (heads up)

True, some arent. However the vast majority of them are. They can reproduce quickly (they drop off legs which grow into new starfish) but most of the time they feed on algae and left over food (so are a useful part of the cuc).

I would leave them be, if you find they start hanging out constantly on a coral then you could have a problem but most of them are perfectly reef safe. I have loads in my tank and they dont do any harm at all. Wasn't too many years ago that reef keepers classed asterinas as essential cuc where as now they have a rep for being coral eating predators

Agreed. I find myself blessed to have them. They really help out

both true and great advice, but if you have some extremely valuable coral in your tank, i would test the asterina with a less valuable coral before putting it in the DP cause u can never be too sure. or u can go on the safe side like me shouldnt be anything to be afraid of though like barney said the vast majority are reef safe.. GL