stars in new tank

[sluggerdood]

i just started two tanks about a week ago a 10 gallon nano and a 55 gallon , i added LR and a couple hours later there were three small star fish on the side of the 55 g. The nano i have has cleaner water should i move them to the nano or should i give them away or what?sorry about spelling and punctuation.

 

[fastrd400]

They sound like Asternia Starfish. Most likely came in as hitch hikers on your rock. Most people including myself pull them out and flush/toss them. They can be a PITA, and can multiple super quickly if not kept in check.

 

[jcegt87]

yeah sound like asternia stars ive never taken them out , if your tank is cycling they will dissapear on their own , they can prob be a pita if it were already establishe but in a new tank i wouldnt worry about them

this is from my experience take it as a grain of salt

 

[Dana42078]

Harlequin shrimp will wipe them out, but once they are gone u gotta feed the harlequin a starfish once a month....also those lil stars eat coraline.My harlequin had my reef clean in about 2 weeks. Havent seen one since....well till i looked at my mantis tank lol

 

[sluggerdood]

i have seen about 5 and removed all of them . do you still think i should get a harlequin ?

 

[sen5241b]

I have asterina but I am so diligent about pulling them out the instant I see one that they are not a problem. I see one now about once every 3 months. Use tweezers to pull them out.

Are they a problem. Generally not.; They will eat coralline and if they really go unchecked they might cover your corals and deprive them of light but that is rare.

 

[Dana42078]

I wouldn't buy a harlequin unless they bother you that much or spread to biblical proportions