Asterina Stars (How big do they get in our tanks?)

[smcnally]

I saw this one on my overflow today and it is big when compared to all the others. It is about 1/2"-3/4". You can see one of the smaller ones next to it. I have others in my tank that are larger, but they are 1/2 the size of this large one.

 

[JayM]

that's massive...it's a mutant....mine are all in the smaller size range. Do you live near a nuke plant or something?

 

[APISTOBORELLI]

This one was as big as my hand. Asked me for some coffee...

JK>> Usually only about 1/4" in my tank.

 

[RichConley]

Steve, I've got a bunch like that. Don't seem to cause any trouble as far as I can see, but I really dont know much about them.

 

[reefinghabit]

ive seen them as big as 3/4" in my own tank

 

[TomD]

I have a bunch just like the one you posted Steve. No problems and I like them.

 

[LockeOak]

Yeah, some half inchers here. See them every few weeks, don't seem to bother anything.

 

[littlep93056]

I have hundreds of 1/4 inch ones Are they good or bad ?

 

[JohnK]

All of mine are not more than a hair over 1/2". Never had any problems that I know of because of them.

Maybe you got a mutant or something? I'd probably pull that giant one just to be safe, but I bet it's just the large end of natural variability.

 

[TomD]

I have hundreds of 1/4 inch ones Are they good or bad ?

Most Asterinas do not cause any issues but I read somehwhere that there "may" be species that feed on soft corals like zoos.

 

[littlep93056]

Hmmm , anybody got more info on this ????

 

[Clam Man]

I have hundreds of 1/4 inch ones Are they good or bad ?

I started getting hundreds also so I added a harliquin shrimp within a couple of months they were gone.the only reason I got rid of them was because as stated above there were hundreds of them everywere.side note the shrimp never bothered anything now he eats african starfish and linkias.if you have a linkia get it out before adding a harliqin and when the small stars run out it will eat serpent stars, if you don't have another tank you might want to sell it to somone else that wants to get rid of them. seems to be a common problem with huge population outbreaks after time(imo)

 

[RichConley]

Hmmm , anybody got more info on this ????

theres hundreds of species of the things. There are species that eat corals...most people dont have those though. IIRC, theyre usually brightly colored.