unknown starfish

[Smitty]

I was looking in my 29gal and observed this strange starfish on the rocks, it has six legs and is a grayish color...anyone know what it is or if it is good or bad, I can't find anything on it on the internet..sorry about the crummy pics.

Thanks

 

[hibye]

Look like asterinid starfish. Some people keep them, some kill them. Some people say they eat corals and some say they don't. If I were you I wouldn't take any chances and take as many as you can see out. I have them in my tank currently. I know that they eat coraline and polyp coral. I have been trying to get rid of them.

 

[bjohanson1234]

+1 hybye
It is an asterna
Ask 10 people, you will get 10 different answers. As long as they are kept in check I think you will be alright.

Brian

 

[Smitty]

Thanks guys, I only have 1 at this time...it came with a batch of cheato from the lfs...is it ok if I put it in my fuge on my 55, or is that a bad idea also?

 

[bjohanson1234]

If you only have the one, I would take it out. They can over take a tank.

Brian

 

[AdeptMrSniffles]

Kill! Kill! Kill!!

 

[dcantucson]

If there's one there'll soon be some!
I don't believe (at this time) they hurt anything, but many disagree.

 

[Bifferwine]

It's an asterina. I have thousands in my tank. I tried to control them when I first spotted them, but to no avail (obviously). Some people report them eating corals. So far, I've only seen them on my glass.

 

[cthegame]

same here,i have a ton in my tank. I doubt you only have 1...

 

[yote]

I've got several of em in my tank to.Some of em even have coralline growing on them.
Their never on my corals though.Usually just on the rock or glass.

 

[winyfrog]

most of them won't eat coral but they can get over populated very very quickly. I would remove them every time you see one. I have over 1000 of them right now in my 850 and am having a hell of a time getting them under control.

they reproduce by dropping legs and the leg will form a new starfish.