star fish? good or bad

[kfra]

I just found this little guy on the wall of my tank. do i keep or not?

 

[Boomer]

No, that starfish eats corals, get rid of it.

http://www.garf.org/news26p2.html

 

[mnreefman]

Originally posted by Boomer
No, that starfish eats corals, get rid of it.

http://www.garf.org/news26p2.html

there are so many differnt types of mini stars, and yes some eat coral, but i wouldnt jump on the bandwagon quite yet.. i have hundreds of mini stars and i have yet to see them eat a coral.... keep an eye out and watch them

 

[caja]

yup, that's an asterina starfish but the jury is still out on that one. I did some research on them and while the articles I found say that it will eat some types of corals, Calfo and Fenner's Reef Inverts book says that it more than likely is grazing on necrotic tissue on an already diseased or dying coral. It is however a very prolific species and can rapidly multiply. they are great algae and detritus eaters. keep an eye on it. I've got a couple and so far have had no problems.

 

[Brucey]

Put him in the sump until you know for sure
Brucey

 

[kfra]

I have found one more. I also put him in the 20gal with the seahorse. Rather be safe than sorry.

Thanks everyone