Starfish identification

[SVT519]

I have found a couple of small dimesize starfish hitchikers that are brownish in color and have 6 legs. Could someone please help identify them and let me know if they are harmful to coral thanks, i am hoping they are some nice sand sifting starfish -Thanks Andrew

[Babydoc]

they could be microstars but dont worry they are harmless to corals

[JimD]

Google search "Asteria" stars, I think youll find that not all 'micro stars' are harmless.

[apedroza]

Are all the legs uneven??? If so becareful because I have seen these stars munching on my Acros and Montiporas.

[hobogato]

they could be microstars but dont worry they are harmless to corals

some are, but there are some that WILL eat zoas and sps - especially frags that arent well established - i know from first hand experience. i pull out every one i can just to be sure.

[Headless_donkey]

Don't pull them out. Just get some harlequin shrimp. Right apedoza? If you do pull them out let me know. Our harlequins are always hungry.

[apedroza]

Yeah harlequins are good at getting rid of these. Just be sure you don't have any other stars that you want to keep.

[hobogato]

yeah, my red lankia and blue lankia would not fair too well with the harlequins :) if you dont have any other stars, that is a great solution.

[SACoastie]

I found the same thing in my tank last night. I looked it up and found this link on the little guys. Removing mine ASAP!
http://www.garf.org/STAR/starfish.html

[Viet-Tin]

I have the same problem...They ate my small frags and killed off a few small colonies. Im starting to see them more and more on my other acros and montis. I shouldve gotten rid of them when I had the chance