Asterinas (Splitting Starfish)

[Sander1001]

How concerned do I need to be with these guys as they are in my tank. I have only caught one munching on some coral the rest just cruise the glass and LR. Mine are white/gray speckled.

[phenom5]

I've got tons...no problems. I wouldn't worry.

[Sander1001]

No need to assume they are eating the coraline algea?

[siropa]

Well i've got them all over my 275 and they eat coralline like mad. At this point there is no good way for me to get rid of them, but I would if I could. they do keep the rocks looking pretty clean, so they must be eating other stuff too. small consolation.

[J. Montgomery]

My tank is swarming with them and they've never been a problem.

[hyperfocal]

Some types can/do eat coral. I lost a stylo frag to an asterina. Good luck getting rid of them, I tried for a week -- the more I removed, the more appeared to fill their "place" In trying to remove them, I just ended up making the 'problem' worse. I haven't had any coral damage since.

I wouldn't worry about it, all things considered.

[kydsexy]

i love them. let them eat the coralline :D or put them in a 2.5 for your little ones and recycle a piece of coralline rock from your tank every few weeks for them

[Saiyan]

Mine eat the coralline but it is never that bad. I did have an outbreak once that must have been to excess nutrients of some kind. They were all over the place. You can pull them out just make sure you don't cut them. Now they are under control.