Starfish

[SLC Flyfishing]

I got a very small (1 cm diameter) starfish in with some rock rubble the other day, the LFS said to kill it because it would eat corals eventually. They didn't see the thing but they made that recomendation based on my description of it.

The star is a light tan color, and has 6 very stubby triangular legs, it has moved into the interior of the rock pile so locating it will be quite a chore and will likely require a complete redoing of my rockwork.

What do I do/what would you do?

SLC

 

[richard t]

Have a look at starfish on google.

Stubby arms would fit a Doughboy star also may be a cushion star.
Most stars eat corals or sponges but very little is known about their full dietrey requirements.This is probably why starfish usually waste away in home aquaria.Your LFS are probably right to say get rid of it, but trying to rehome would be better than killing it.

 

[James B]

tbh leave him to it at that size its going to be a while i would think before he is big enough to do any damage and if it eats corals catch it in the act at a decent size (easier to catch him) and deal with it

 

[callell]

It is asterina, it will reproduce & become a pest, get rid of it soon & also give your rock a close look over as I would guarentee that there will be more

They dont get much bigger than what yours seems to be but it is not there size but the prolific reproduction that cause's problems

 

[Mr Miagi]

It is asterina, it will reproduce & become a pest, get rid of it soon & also give your rock a close look over as I would guarentee that there will be more

They dont get much bigger than what yours seems to be but it is not there size but the prolific reproduction that cause's problems

I think you should ID it yourself first, before you go destroying things, on the basis it has 6 short stubby arms and its cream. It might turn out to be a coral eater, but you havnt got any corals yet, so you have a little time. Asterina Pictures If it actually is an Asterina, get rid of it and as suggested, go over your LR, best to do it before you get settled.

 

[Donya]

Small and stubby would match the goosefoot/asterina stars I have in my tank. They are great little cleaners have a look for asterina pics on google image. They come in a bunch of colors, with brown or tan being most common. I've ever had any trouble with overpopulation of them in my tanks; they just add to the janitor team.

 

[SLC Flyfishing]

O.K. I had a look at mr Miagi's link and it's asterina for sure, I'll be on constant watch for it and I'll pull it out if I see it. TBH I am not getting corals for quite a while so rather than taking a look at all my rocks and having to restack them, I'll just wait till he makes himself known again! Can it reproduce on its own? Because I'm nearly 100% certain that it's the only one in there.

SLC

 

[Donya]

Asterinas can reproduce by dividing. That's how I notice mine multiplying most of the time. I'll have a whole starfish, then two halves of the same starfish are running around the next day. If an arm breaks off by injury it can also sometimes survive and turn into a new starfish.