Can Starfish harm Zoanthids?

Robka · 10/06/2009, 11:05 PM

I found small blue starfish on top of Zoa's and many had closed up lately. Can they damage or harass them? I also found a strange looking small white snail with it's feeding tube stuck in the center of another Zoa (I removed this offender)

Thanks for your help,

Robka

dalston · 10/06/2009, 11:18 PM

It's more than likely an asternia (I have seen blueish looking ones) and yes they have been known to munch on zoas. If you have a pic it would be easier to tell for sure but as I said, some species of asternia are known polyp eaters. I just remove any asternia I see regardless.

Marchingbandjs · 10/07/2009, 06:31 AM

The blue asternia stars are the know polyp eaters, the white tend to stay on the glass, and eat coralline and other algae....

I would remove them quickly as they drop legs and reproduce very FAST.

Robka · 10/07/2009, 02:09 PM

Thanks for the info guys

I have already started operation Starfish removal. Would it be alright to put them in my sump? It consist of live rock rubble and Chaeto macro algae.

Thanks,

Robka

Marchingbandjs · 10/07/2009, 04:40 PM

Ya, i have heard of many people doing this, i think... Ya i think they put them in sump... but then again they wont have much benificial purpose at all in there, so its really up to you.

Johnny C · 10/07/2009, 07:37 PM

FWIW, I didn't think my asternia stars were pests until they decided to chomp down on my purple hornet zoos. I just bought a harlequin shrimp and hoping he'll kill them... they are the devil! (BTW, mine were white... not blue)

10/06/2009, 11:05 PM	#1
Robka Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 452	Can Starfish harm Zoanthids? I found small blue starfish on top of Zoa's and many had closed up lately. Can they damage or harass them? I also found a strange looking small white snail with it's feeding tube stuck in the center of another Zoa (I removed this offender) Thanks for your help, Robka

10/06/2009, 11:18 PM	#2
dalston Caged member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,247	It's more than likely an asternia (I have seen blueish looking ones) and yes they have been known to munch on zoas. If you have a pic it would be easier to tell for sure but as I said, some species of asternia are known polyp eaters. I just remove any asternia I see regardless. __________________ The trouble with quotes on the internet is that you can never know if they are genuine - Abraham Lincoln An Englishman, even if he is alone, forms an orderly queue of one - George Mikes Current Tank Info: Indian T-90 Bhisma with appliqué reactive armor and standard 125 mm (4.9 in) main gun.

10/07/2009, 07:37 PM	#6
Johnny C RK Magazine Staff Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Northeast Posts: 4,072	FWIW, I didn't think my asternia stars were pests until they decided to chomp down on my purple hornet zoos. I just bought a harlequin shrimp and hoping he'll kill them... they are the devil! (BTW, mine were white... not blue) __________________ "...the sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonders forever" -Jacques Cousteau

10/07/2009, 06:31 AM	#3
Marchingbandjs Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 195	The blue asternia stars are the know polyp eaters, the white tend to stay on the glass, and eat coralline and other algae.... I would remove them quickly as they drop legs and reproduce very FAST.

10/07/2009, 02:09 PM	#4
Robka Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 452	Thanks for the info guys I have already started operation Starfish removal. Would it be alright to put them in my sump? It consist of live rock rubble and Chaeto macro algae. Thanks, Robka

10/07/2009, 04:40 PM	#5
Marchingbandjs Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 195	Ya, i have heard of many people doing this, i think... Ya i think they put them in sump... but then again they wont have much benificial purpose at all in there, so its really up to you.