Tiny Starfish

[BillO]

I just noticed a 1/4inch diameter starfish cruising along on one of the pipes in my tank. Tan colored. Is this anything to worry about or is he just another interesting inhabitant?

 

[Fatal Morgana]

You are in BIG TROUBLE there, buddy!

j/k, it is just another interesting critter.

 

[BillO]

So it is not likely that this thing will grow into a large coral munching nightmare!

 

[Fatal Morgana]

If it does, you should buy some CA lottery even if the jackpot is less than half a million.

 

[UnderwaterExotic]

There is a class of small starfish that will and do eat corals. They usually have a leg or 2 bigger than the others!

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

asterina starfish. coraline munchers and alleged coral munchers. here's one of the little buggers eating my coraline. :evil:

of course that's not to say that yours is indeed an asterina. I was refering to underwater's post - clarifying the name of the star he (she?) mentioned.

 

[UnderwaterExotic]

Thanks for the clerification~~

 

[blastermqn]

Cool. I have a few of those to, just like the pic. Always wondered what the heck they were.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

notice the swiss cheese look to my coraline? that would be the handywork of these guys. thankfully they have yet to munch on any corals and seem to be at a fairly acceptable population. Every so often I go in and thin down the population a bit just to be on the safe side as they can reach plague proportions if not kept in check.

 

[Fatal Morgana]

>..alleged coral munchers

Yes, alleged, and so far, I have never heard enough evidence to convict them.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

exactly!

 

[BillO]

SM thanks for the photo link. I don't think mine is the same. He looks justs like a full size starfish, five legs, very simetrical, tan color. He has mostly been on the back wall which is black so it is difficult to photograph.
I'm going to just watch and enjoy,
Thanks all for the help!