Asterina Star

Discussion in 'ID This!' started by arentspowell, Mar 12, 2010.

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  1. arentspowell

    arentspowell Skunk Shrimp

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2010
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    297
    Location:
    Florida
    This guy has been in my tank for a few weeks now and at first he way all white but now looks kinda blueish or maybe grey. Any idea if he will become a pest or not or what kind he might be?
     

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    arentspowell, Mar 12, 2010
    arentspowell, Mar 12, 2010
    #1

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  2. Triggerfish

    Triggerfish Ritteri Anemone

    Joined:
    May 9, 2009
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    Location:
    So Cal
    don't know about the second pic, but the first pic is an asterina star. They are little filter feeders and multiplay pretty quickly, I've heard they can eat some polyps but I have many of those stars and haven't had a problem with them.
     
    Triggerfish, Mar 12, 2010
    Triggerfish, Mar 12, 2010
    #2
  3. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    White one seem to eat what they find on the rock and tank walls. The bluish ones seem to eat coralline algae.
     
    2in10, Mar 12, 2010
    2in10, Mar 12, 2010
    #3
  4. kcbrad

    kcbrad Giant Squid

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    Seattle, WA
    I have lots of white ones in my tank, and haven't noticed a decrease in my coraline algae - though I wish there was!!

    I have heard the colored asterinas do more damage, but I don't know if that's just a myth or not.
     
    kcbrad, Mar 12, 2010
    kcbrad, Mar 12, 2010
    #4
  5. horkn

    horkn Giant Squid

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    AFAIK, asterinas are not filter feeders.
     
    horkn, Mar 12, 2010
    horkn, Mar 12, 2010
    #5