Mini starfish..

[Chumpo]

Hi
I found some mini starfish in my tank, which seem to have appeared since I bought 3 acros in the past few weeks.
Prior to that I had white mini starfish, but the latest ones seem a different colour.

I am a bit worried they may be SPS 'unfriendly' after noticing some white bits on a couple of acros, and reading this article.
http://www.garf.org/STAR/starfish.html

The one in my tank looks like this (I know its on a patch of hair algae, which I'm battling with at the moment)....

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/101734ministar.JPG

This one is around 1cm to 1.5cm across, but I have seen others like this which may be 2cm-2.5cm across.
Is he a good guy, or should I take him out?

Thanks

[Chumpo]

Anyone???

[the_anti_honda]

asterian starfish maybe.

They eat coraline algae. I have never had a problem with them and corals. Actually I like them since I don't care for coraline much.

[Mr aqua]

I agree with anti_honda. They are harmless to acro but like to eat all your pretty purple LR. They multiply like crazy and in a 20H like mine, become an eyesore.

People say Harliquin shrimp are the way to get rid of them.

[BLKTANG]

microstar. coraline eaters.

[Blugobi]

A Harliquin shrimp would be fat , dumb and happy with a tank full of those.

Geo

[Znut Reefer]

I have them also in my 550 sps tank. So just recently added a Harlequin shrimp 3 weeks ago. I think they are harmless but multiply like crazy and are eyesores. The harlequin is a cool looking shrimp! And is staying fat and healthy.

[the_anti_honda]

I used to pull them out of my main display and feed my Harlequins with them. I never liked using CC stars to much of a mess.

[Chumpo]

Thanks for all the replies.

Do we not think the stars in my tank are those identified in the GARF posting?? or do we think the GARF stars don't really bother coral??

Thanks