Microstar Invasion

[digitalreefer]

Quick question... when I got my tank set up I noticed 1-2 tiny microstars every once in awhile, when I looked at my tank tonight I counted at least 30 without really looking for them. I'm guessing I didn't even count half of what's probably in there and the bigger ones are getting close to 1/2-3/4 inch. I'm now wondering if I should leave them, toss them in my hang on fuge, or get rid of them. I know most stars are scavengers/carnivores... Will they harm my corals if I leave them in the tank?
Thanks in Advance

 

[reefman]

play it safe, dump it or give to some1 that wants them.

 

[eoffrey]

Can you snap a sort of image/s of `em? There are many species of astrina stars, which I myself would remove pronto, though there are also micro species of brittles which are perfectly fine and will not present any harm to any of your livestock.

 

[Deanos]

If they look like the star below in the sizes you stated, leave them as they're excellent detritus scavengers.

 

[digitalreefer]

There are many species of astrina stars, which I myself would remove pronto, though there are also micro species of brittles which are perfectly fine and will not present any harm to any of your livestock.

They're not brittles. I googled Asterina and found a bunch of stuff on them... this is most likely what they are, but all of the info is conflicting. Some say leave them, some say they sometimes eat SPS corals (I'm ok with that... don't plan on having them), and some say they eat all types of corals. It seems most people say that they're ok until they become unsightly, but I don't want to take chances if they're a real potential problem.

When in doubt rip em out? Or does anyone have any other ideas?
Thanks.

 

[scarf_ace1981]

i'd be willing to take as many as you can bag up. my harlequin shrimp are hungry.

 

[digitalreefer]

i'd be willing to take as many as you can bag up. my harlequin shrimp are hungry.

I'll try to bag some up later today... when would you want to stop by? I'm in Park Slope. Where are you in the city... I'm occasionally in Manhattan for clients.

 

[House of Laughter]

Digital, or I can sell you some harlequins like scarf has,

Let us know, they eat stars and are super kewl looking.

House

 

[digitalreefer]

Digital, or I can sell you some harlequins like scarf has,
House

Going to wait until it cools off to get any more inverts, temp changes have already taken my first shrimp and I can't run a chiller (... long story)

Thanks... I'll just provide a shrimp free star propagation center for other people's shrimp for now.

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

I would want some of the stars too when we have time to meet up.

I would put them in the sump if in doubt or of course you can put them in a seperate tank like what I do. I have a rock tank where all the unwanted stuff will stay and let nature take the course instead killing them with my hands.

 

[fritz]

Are they the ones I saw? The ones that look like stars but are missing a leg or two? If so those are great and if you have tons I want some cause mine aren't reproducing as fast as I'd like.

 

[alrha]

i know ronen likes to feed them to his shrimp too if you have extras

 

[DEEPWATER]

i know ronen likes to feed them to his shrimp too if you have extras

thanks albert


I saw eric yesterday ,hopefully he is saving some for me as well

my shrimp are getting hungry :splitspin

nice meeting you yesterday (not albert ) LOL

 

[alrha]

it wasnt nice meeting you either.
Eric, give those stars to scarf!

 

[digitalreefer]

Ok... I promised the first batch to Scarf, but Fred, Ronen and Wingo are all on the list as I get more. I'm pulling 2-3 a day from my tank, so it won't be long before I have another dozen or so. Since they're doing so well in my tank, I don't want to totally deplete them lest you guys have no shrimp food!

 

[DEEPWATER]

it wasnt nice meeting you either.
Eric, give those stars to scarf!

nice meeting you yesterday (not albert ) LOL

i didnt meet you yesterday albert :irked: ata ben byit :splitspin

 

[nanoreefer22]

Eric,
I'd take two or three or them doesn't matter to me.
-Kris

 

[samster]

u want some kris? i have alot too i my tank they are kinda clamoflaged into the roCkz

*i think they eat algaE th0 cause i see them on the back glass where i cat reach the lil algaE areas behind the rockwork*

not sure if they are safe but looks pretty safe cause i see em eat algaE n nothing esle yet lol

 

[drperetz]

hey

Is it possible to get some stars please?

 

[alrha]

ata ben byit :splitspin

ata gam ben bAyit achi, tilmad to spell "bayit"