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View Full Version : Small WHITE sea stars...Keep or remove??


Mr Cob
Mon, 25th Aug 2008, 10:46 PM
So...just noticed one of these guys on my tank...small white sea star. His bottom is white and his top is also white with a faded black smudge looking center. It has five arms and is 1/2 the size of a dime...roughly.

It looks like an asterina, but it has five symmetrical arms versus 6 random arms.

Is it best to remove these from a reef tank?

What's your advice or experience?

Thanks.
dustint21
Mon, 25th Aug 2008, 11:01 PM
I have heard this go both ways! I take them out!!! They may not hurt anything, but I know the go from a few to ALOT pretty fast! JMO!
Mr Cob
Mon, 25th Aug 2008, 11:53 PM
I just removed him...he's in a bag in the refugium. Hmmm what to do with him now. Maybe I'll catch a few more if I find anymore and someone might want them for their Harlequin shrimp.

Got one ready if someone wants him.
dustint21
Tue, 26th Aug 2008, 08:14 AM
I think Penny2cents was tryin to collect them at one time! Not sure if she still is!
Bill S
Tue, 26th Aug 2008, 09:31 AM
I've seen them for sale on ebay...

Kill the SOBs. All of them.
ErikH
Tue, 26th Aug 2008, 09:59 AM
They will eat your zoas! Nothing like seeing them on a PPE, I got sick of picking them out so I bought a Harlequin.
roscozman
Tue, 26th Aug 2008, 10:15 AM
I don't think Pennies2Cents was looking for some (She's my wife), I did find a thread in the wanted to buy/trade section where zcatzmeow was willing to take any amount, large or small.

We had a few at the beginning when we bought some sand from a member. I don't see them anymore.
tony
Tue, 26th Aug 2008, 10:23 AM
my asterinas were at plague proportions. bought a harlequin. havent seen one since. i do see brittle stars often, but not near as many. IF you get a harlequin, make sure you are ok with feeding it after it wipes out all of your other stars.
Mr Cob
Tue, 26th Aug 2008, 10:28 AM
Thanks for all the replies...I'm going to take Bill's advice and kill the SOB's ..LOL

Guess it's time to purchase a Harlequin...I have zoas that I might cry over if they wiped em out.
Mr Cob
Tue, 26th Aug 2008, 10:36 AM
Check this thread out:

http://www.aquahobby.com/marine/e_helegans.php

Interesting info...
tony
Tue, 26th Aug 2008, 10:52 AM
i have had mine going on 3 years now
dustint21
Tue, 26th Aug 2008, 11:45 AM
I don't think Pennies2Cents was looking for some (She's my wife), I did find a thread in the wanted to buy/trade section where zcatzmeow was willing to take any amount, large or small.

We had a few at the beginning when we bought some sand from a member. I don't see them anymore.


Oops! sorry about that mix up! My bad!