tiny starfish explosion

[bkvreef]

I have recently noticed a major influx of tiny starfish in my display tank.  I added some live rock several months ago and I was aware there were some on that.  I took samples of these stars to several people and all of them said they were not coral eating type.
Here's my question would a pair of harlequin shrimp eat these kind of stars?
Could I put them in my display tank (220g), my pico tope and add these stars to that tank, or to my soon to be setup frag tank, and just add the stars there.

[Logzor]

I would not trust these creatures, as with many boarder line "reef-safe" creatures, these may turn on your depending on what they're in the mood for. These are notorious for eating zoanthids.

I found this article in the latest reefkeeping magazine that may help: http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/current-issue/article/45-reefkeeping-101-

[bkvreef]

I agree.
Anyone know a place to get a pair of harlequins?

[larrynews]

i got mine from aquatic specialist in troy , i got two in case one didn't make it and it didn't they are delicate shipper, i believe,. but the other is alive and well and that is why i got mine. a lot of people swear the little stars  are safe, i had some thing disappearing so i didnt want to chance it. i still have some but not in the numbers i did. if you get one from them or coral ranch might be able to get them let me know i might get another one they are special orders because they only eat starfish and they don't to feed them while they hold them, cant blame them on that.

[TechGuy]

I used to see one or two here and there. Not many at all. But recently they have taken off. I pulled 10 out last night from the glass. Nothing is being eaten. The vast majority don't eat corals from what I remember.

So I don't know if I want to buy a Harlequin shrimp. Another animal to feed.

[Amstar]

if you have a sump you can buy 3-5 chocolate-chip starfish and throw them in there.  When the shrimp need feed, chop off an arm on of the chocolate-chip starfish.  next time pick a different starfish to chop the arm off.  if you have enough starfish you should be able to have an endless supply of re-generated arms to feed the shrimp.


this is after they wipe out the starfish population in your main tank

[bkvreef]

I used to see one or two here and there. Not many at all. But recently they have taken off. I pulled 10 out last night from the glass. Nothing is being eaten. The vast majority don't eat corals from what I remember.

So I don't know if I want to buy a Harlequin shrimp. Another animal to feed.

I understand but if the stars aren't eating the corals wouldn't they be finding other things to eat and ths causing other concerns with my tank (granted I'd rather them it rock or film then corals!)?

[Blown76mav]

Which little stars do you have?  The small brittle stars (skinny legs) or the ones like the article shows with the fat legs?  If they are the brittle stars don't worry about them a Harlequin shrimp isn't going to help with those anyways. 

A picture would be helpful in telling you what you have.

[TechGuy]

I understand but if the stars aren't eating the corals wouldn't they be finding other things to eat and ths causing other concerns with my tank (granted I'd rather them it rock or film then corals!)?

Algae, other waste, left over foods? I don't know lol. Mine seem to stay on the glass. Rarely do I see them on the rocks. Maybe I have gotten lucky. The majority are in the sump though.

[bkvreef]

Good point Techguy.

I have decided that reef keeping has added (to my obsessive compulsiveness) paranoia to my numerous personality disorders.

[TechGuy]

Good point Techguy.

I have decided that reef keeping has added (to my obsessive compulsiveness) paranoia to my numerous personality disorders.

Me too.

Better to observe then react. I think I am going to hold off. It might turn out these guys are munching up waste, and cleaning my glass.

Read the article posted above also.

[bkvreef]

free clean up crew would be great.
So do I still need an excuse to get a pair of harlequins?

[Reefd Up]

If you're looking for an excuse to get a harlequin, go for it.  The most common in the hobby starfish are the harmless asterina sp.  But, I have run across the SPS-eating starfish before...and it's next to impossible to tell them apart (and there are several different species of asterinas that eat corals.)  Chances are, yours are harmless.  Just keep an eye on your corals.  If you see a starfish on a dead part of your coral, it's probably not eating it...just picking at the dead tissue.  If you notice jagged chomp marks in the coral...it's probably eating it.