nelsz3 Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 So i have seen four of these small somewhat misshapen but not really misshapen starfish in my tank recently. I have a sand sifting star that i have had for about 7 months. But with doing some research i"ve found bad and good about them but decided to ask the experts here on the forum. heres a few pics not great but may do any help is appreciated thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stylaster Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 asterina starfish. I have them in my tank and have never had any issues. Others have had them and had them eat coral. If your not willing to take the chance if it will be benign or not, pull it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cellowithgills Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Some in my tank ate a couple holes in my leather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Googs Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 We're having a big outbreak of those stars right now. They eat coraline algae which is making the back wall of the nano I have look bleached. Seem to be staying away from the corals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kimberlee Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 They are all over my tank and I have never seen any issues w/ any corals in my tank. They are on the glass a lot and I assume eating algae, also I see them around the base of the corals but never on them. And when I say they are all over I mean that I can't look any where in the tank without seeing 2-3 of them. I also have a large verity of corals so if they did eat corals it's not like there wouldn't be 1 in there that they might find tasty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drunkreefer Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 if you want em gone buy your self's a Harlequin Shrimp! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnkrcklives Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 I have them in my tank as well. For me the light colored ones like in your picture dont bother anything. But the ones with darker grey down the center of the legs eat corals. Killed both my caps, and another acro may not make it. So I just pluck them out when I see them. Like drunkreefer said halequins eat only starfish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Googs Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Do they eat brittle stars? That's the only thing keeping me from getting one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drunkreefer Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 pull your brittle out and put it into your sump until the jobs done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epicenter Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 I understand the Harlequins do not eat brittles, & also in my tank those stars have killed zoas I have never heard of them eating acros though. Here is a cool link. http://www.coralpedia.com/index.php?module=Gallery2&g2_itemId=1426 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigjohnwoody Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 I have a pair of harlequins and they do not eat brittle or serpent stars. I have both stars and had all of them together for months with no problems. However the OP will need to remove his sand sifting star so it doesnt become lunch for the Harley's. Awesome invert, very gorgeous:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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