Invertebrates

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Stars

Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Invertebrates
Forum Description: This is the place to ask questions about invertebrates.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=150
Printed Date: November 21 2024 at 8:13pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Stars

Posted By: jenjardu
Subject: Stars
Date Posted: November 21 2002 at 1:09pm

I have a 30 galon tank and about 5 star fish starting to pop up. At first I could only see the one large one by large I mean about the size of a key of you keyboard. Now they seem to be multiplying. I have heard to leave them alone and I have heard to get them out because they may be harmful to my corals and microverts. What should I do. I'm not sure what kind of star they are either. They are a off-white color with a greyish dot in the center. The larger one looks like its getting a red stripe down the top of each arm.

Replies:

Posted By: Firefish
Date Posted: November 23 2002 at 5:15pm

I'm not sure what the one with the red stripes is, but it seems that most of the small starfish that come on most liverock are usually harmless. There are tiny brittle stars all over in my tank and they grow very slow. I've got other tiny starfish that have six arms. For the most part they all hang out in the substrate and macroalgae in my tank and never seem to make there way on to any of my corals. Its hard to say without looking at them, but typicaly I have learned that the smaller stars pose no threat to corals. But if they get bigger they may. There are some stars that remain small forever and only reproduce as their form of growth by spliting. Also these stars almost always remain out of site. The ones in my tank seem to do no harm, but if you have some that are always visible, watch them and sometimes at night you should check on your tank and see if they have any interest in your corals. Even if I tryed to get rid of all the stars in my tank I would still find some pop up here and there anyway. Just keep an eye on them.