i've got some unidentified starfish

[MarineTeng]

i'm trying to get pictures but i can't get one in good focus, i know this is frustrating, but i've just noticed that i have more then one, so i just want to make sure they're good before i let them stay, they're about 1/4" - 1/2" diameter that are light blue on the top and white on the bottom, they have one leg that's longer then the others and then 2 that are a bit shorter and then 2-4 that are short and about the same length i'll try and get pics again tomorrow, thanks for the help

 

[robbiej]

I think i know what you are talking about. I can't remember the name of them. It starts with an "A". Look up starfish on wetwebmedia.com. They are generally harmless but reproduce rapidly supposedly. I found one a while back in my tank but haven't seen any offspring. It blends in with the rock and can't find it now.

 

[MarineTeng]

Thanks for the link, here's a pic off wetwebmedia.com that looks like mine, it's an asterina star, it says they may eat acros, i don't have any, should i just keep them u think?

 

[steve-s]

They are more commonly harmless, most eat algae and worms. Their numbers in any given system are often like polychaete worms, directly related to available nutrient, in this case the easiest food source being algae. They reproduce quite quickly and may look like a nuisance but they really aren't.

Starfish: Considerations for the Common (and Commonly Misunderstood) Varieties by Anthony Calfo (near the bottom)

Cheers
Steve

 

[FishinInTheDark]

The acro eating variety are pretty rare. The ones you have are most likely just algae eaters. They are super common, and just another addition to the cleanup crew.

 

[NaH2O]

I listened to a talk with Dr. Shimek where he mentioned the Asterina stars, and how to decide whether they are preying on your corals. He said if you see them on a coral, it might be walking across it (moving slowly), or it might be eating it, and if you remove it, look at the coral. If you see an area where the star has been eating, then you know it is a coral eater.

 

[MarineTeng]

mine don't even bother going on the rocks really so i'm geussing they're not coral eating