Nasty or nice??

[twiddledog]

I am seeing an increased number of tiny starfish that look like tiny brittle starfish. I think they are causing damage to a large colony of Zoas I have. Is there something I can do to get rid of them? Do these cause damage? What exactly are they?

I tried manually removing them but I cannot pick with tongs.

 

[tommy6905]

Harlequin shrimp I think eats them, but once there gone you'll have to move the shrimp otherwise it'll die..that's all they eat

 

[Turbosnail]

They are harmless they eat all the stuff that gets stuck in the crevices.

 

[willray]

Good guys..your tank is better with them than without.

 

[afboundguy]

Good... I like seeing them stick their arms out when I feed the tank trying to get food

 

[inverted]

Yup good guys. Their numbers increase with increased detritus though. Increased detritus could certainly have a negative effect on water quality and effect your zoanthids though. In my experience, more often than not with zoanthids, when there is an issue, there is some sort of predator or pathenogen though.
here are some to look for:
http://www.coralpedia.com/index.php?module=Gallery2&g2_itemId=384

 

[aiaman]

thats a great website to use as a reference for some quick ID and history of the irritators.
I saved it for future reference, hopefully my system will remain pristine