Zoanthid Eating Starfish

[Jamie]

I've recently been keeping a close eye on a small (smaller than a dime)white starfish in my tank. He is one of the type that you would commonly see in live sand. Well, over the last week or two, it's been crawling over my pink zoas. At first I thought he was just transiting, but now I think he's actually munching away as they are "disappearing". Has anyone experienced this as well. I never thought a star would want to eat my zoas.

R, Jamie

[Third Coast Tropical]

Depending on the species of star, Yes they can and will eat corals......brittle stars are known culprits

[Mr Cob]

Sounds like an Asterina Starfish. SOme people have No problems with them and others do. I have heard of these munching on corals...montis and zoas. I have never had a problem with them because I always get rid of them before they have a chance to become a problem.

[Jamie]

Yep, it's an aterina. I pulled him off a few minutes ago and lo and behold a half eaten zoa was underneath him. Needless to say, I moved the star to my sump...but he did his damage.

[Mr Cob]

Great catch! These guys multiply super fast. It's awesome to find them while they are one or few. Those of us that stare at our tanks for countless hours normally do not have a problem finding them before they multiply into numbers that can cause a problem.

[Mr Cob]

I think the three times I have had them it was on frag swapping. I really need to "dip" but some times I'm just in such a hurry that I end up skipping crucial steps of basic reef keeping husbandry.

[Jamie]

My zoas are OK....just a few less in numbers. Here's a pic of the damage. The half eaten zoanthid is in the center of the pic.

[JoshOdphi]

yea i have them in my tank as well and have never had a problem with them....like mr cob said...u can dip ur zoos to get any hitch hikers off.....i bought some frags which i didnt acclimate or dip and ended up battling zoo eating nudibranchs.....i finally got em under control but they did do a good share of damage....thas y now i dip everything...jus in case

[corkyGramma]

Those of us that stare at our tanks for countless hours normally do not have a problem finding them .

LOL, YEAH WE MAKE GOOD USE OF THOSE NIGHTLY RESTROOM TRIPS. "(HIM) WHAT ARE YOU DOING!"..."(ME)NOTHING, JUST GO BACK TO BED"

[Mr Cob]

That's funny and so true!!! I caught my wife in there gazing at the corals under the simulated moonlights one time during a "nightly restroom trip"... I was like "uh huh..."