What kind of starfish/seastar is this? (pic)

[Jeff721]

 

It's almost the diameter of a dime right now. I don't have any sps, but do have lps and softies.

Should I be concerned?

Any benefits?

 

Thanks!

 

 

[Marc Weaver]

Asterina Starfish  http://www.reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/current-issue/article/45-reefkeeping-101-

 

I would not be concerned.  I have some as well and they don't seem to harm anything.

[gmerek2]

Hi have them also. Mine don't bother anything. There are few species that eat corals. Great part of the cleanup crew. Mine don't get much bigger than the one pictured

[Origami]

There are mixed experiences with Asterina. In some tanks they reach plague proportions. They're benign for some, but coral eaters for others. In at least one case here, the tank owner swore they were benign and later changed his mind when some started eating some corals. If you've got one, you've probably got more. They blend in well against the rock. You'll often find them on the glass first thing in the morning before the lights come on.

 

Here's the first article that I'd ever read about Asterina becoming a problem. It was quite a few years ago.

 

Personally, if I see them, I remove them.

[Hubbard42]

If you start to see tons of them, it may be an underlying problem causing them to reproduce in large numbers. Check levels and watch over feeding.

[Marc Weaver]

Tom, I think your link is incorrect??  I'm getting the vertical tanks from the group buy here.

[Origami]

Tom, I think your link is incorrect??  I'm getting the vertical tanks from the group buy here.

Oops. That was the page for Marco's group buy....

 

I fixed the link above. It's repeated here.