390G Zoanthid & SPS Reef System

[Myka]

Originally Posted by zoaElite

New rule: ASTRINIA STARFISH ARE NOT FRIENDS!!

What were the Asterina starfish doing? I have been looking afoul at some of the Asterina in my tank. I used to have a nice white specie that had evenly sized legs. Now this new darker gimpy looking Asterina like yours has taken over and some of them are toonie sized with like 10 legs!

I am having troubles with some LPS corals receding and I am wondering if the Asterina are to blame as they seem to be hanging out in the problem areas. I have also been thinking of using a Harlequin Shrimp to get them all, but I don't know what to do with the Harlequin once he eats them all. What are you going to do with yours?

[FishyFishy!]

I guess I have a question as well... when all the stars are gone, What do they prey on?

[Myka]

That's the basis of my question...they only eat starfish.

[Madreefer]

This will upset some people. I was advised by the store I got mine from was to freeze a sand sifting star fish and cut off a little chunk of leg about once a week for feedings. They are amazing creatures to watch. Sadly mine disappeared when I added my MP40s I added mine to control an asterina problem as well

[paddyob]

Originally Posted by zoaElite

Problem:

I have hundreds of these stars in my tank. Is the problem eating or sitting on the zoas?

I see them come and go on colonies, and I have definitely had some colonies reduce in size.

Update on the shrimp/star problems?