Help! White Stars

Freshfishy1107 · 03/03/2007, 05:11 PM

I just bought this Zoa colony. When I got home, i noticed it had white stars....is this OK? Can I pick them off? It is in my QT for now. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

zolovinglover · 03/03/2007, 05:22 PM

I've never seen them destroy a polyp, but they do lodge themselves in the opening of closed polyps, potentially keeping them from opening up and thus starving to death.

They do not seem to reproduce in captivity and you should see them disappear eventually.

Freshfishy1107 · 03/03/2007, 05:38 PM

Can I pick them off with tweezers? or leave them alone. I just don't want them to spread. Is it safe to put it in my main tank?

ToadSprocket · 03/03/2007, 08:02 PM

Looks like Irritaters.

http://www.zoaid.com/index.php?modul...g2_itemId=3332

ranran · 03/03/2007, 08:10 PM

I would pick them off and toss them.

truk · 03/04/2007, 01:46 PM

Pick them off and throw them out.

c-horseman · 03/04/2007, 02:53 PM

would the stars survive a freshwater dip?

Letmegrow · 03/04/2007, 03:01 PM

Foraminiferans, they are harmless and will die soon in most peoples tanks. They eat suspended detritus and filter feed.
They come in many shapes and sizes.

Pluck them off or wait for them to move if you are worried.

ct_vol · 03/04/2007, 04:34 PM

Great pics... Thanks for sharing... Pull'em off and toss'em...

Freshfishy1107 · 03/08/2007, 06:51 AM

Thanks for all the help on this issue. I picked them all off couple of days ago and I haven't seen any return. In a couple of days I will put in my display tank.

Thanks again for all the help.

03/03/2007, 05:11 PM	#1
Freshfishy1107 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 43	Help! White Stars I just bought this Zoa colony. When I got home, i noticed it had white stars....is this OK? Can I pick them off? It is in my QT for now. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

03/03/2007, 08:10 PM	#5
ranran Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: vanc wa Posts: 765	I would pick them off and toss them. __________________ Randy Current Tank Info: down sized to a 200 gal starfire!

03/04/2007, 03:01 PM	#8
Letmegrow Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: The Hill Posts: 4,740	Foraminiferans, they are harmless and will die soon in most peoples tanks. They eat suspended detritus and filter feed. They come in many shapes and sizes. Pluck them off or wait for them to move if you are worried. __________________ I'll be just fine pretending I'm not. Understand, Contempt born of clear perception is a birthright to those who channel it toward progression.

03/04/2007, 04:34 PM	#9
ct_vol Reefing On My Mind Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Kempton, IL Posts: 8,083	Great pics... Thanks for sharing... Pull'em off and toss'em... __________________ Randy Volunteers, Blackhawks, Titans, Cubs!!!! Current Tank Info: 185g waiting to be built, 120g SPS/Anemone Reef, 120g SCA in the works, 58g mixed reef w/ 6x39w T5, 125g grow out w/ Reef Breeders

03/03/2007, 05:22 PM	#2
zolovinglover Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: University City Posts: 50	I've never seen them destroy a polyp, but they do lodge themselves in the opening of closed polyps, potentially keeping them from opening up and thus starving to death. They do not seem to reproduce in captivity and you should see them disappear eventually.

03/03/2007, 05:38 PM	#3
Freshfishy1107 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 43	Can I pick them off with tweezers? or leave them alone. I just don't want them to spread. Is it safe to put it in my main tank?

03/03/2007, 08:02 PM	#4
ToadSprocket Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 88	Looks like Irritaters. http://www.zoaid.com/index.php?modul...g2_itemId=3332

03/04/2007, 01:46 PM	#6
truk Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Orlando Posts: 54	Pick them off and throw them out.

03/04/2007, 02:53 PM	#7
c-horseman Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: canada Posts: 77	would the stars survive a freshwater dip?

03/08/2007, 06:51 AM	#10
Freshfishy1107 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 43	Thanks for all the help on this issue. I picked them all off couple of days ago and I haven't seen any return. In a couple of days I will put in my display tank. Thanks again for all the help.