Blue/Green starfish eating coralline algae

Discussion in 'ID This!' started by We$, Jun 29, 2011.

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  1. We$

    We$ Spaghetti Worm

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2010
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    199
    Location:
    Seattle
    [​IMG]

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    two or three of these hitchhikers have been racing around my tank eating up all the corraline algae they get them selves on. I actually like that they are doing this a lot even though they arnt big enough to make a real difference.

    Anyways, they started very very small but since i have a lot of coralline algae in my tank this guy in the picture has grown to about the size of a quarter.
     
    We$, Jun 29, 2011
    We$, Jun 29, 2011
    #1

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  2. Coastie Reefer

    Coastie Reefer Millepora

    Joined:
    May 9, 2011
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    Location:
    NE Louisiana
    Yeppers, I hate those little guys. I have a bunch but the biggest is probably just under the size of a dime and beige. They have completely removed the coralline off my once awesome solid pink/purple rock!
     
    Coastie Reefer, Jun 29, 2011
    Coastie Reefer, Jun 29, 2011
    #2
  3. JJL

    JJL Purple Tang

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2011
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    They are asterina starfish. Harmless to fish and coral, but they eat corailline algae.
     
    JJL, Jun 29, 2011
    JJL, Jun 29, 2011
    #3
  4. We$

    We$ Spaghetti Worm

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2010
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    199
    Location:
    Seattle
    I actually dont mind them, coralline is sort of a nuisance algae really. I dont mind having it on rocks but it spreads quickly to the glass and is sorta ugly IMO. :-X
     
    We$, Jun 29, 2011
    We$, Jun 29, 2011
    #4