Now For The Starfish

[petew]

I'm on a roll now that I have got a pic to load, though it helps if you load the right one I've found.

Ok

I've got a few asterina in the tank (white and brown ones) and thought I had a new variety of camoflaged green ones. However these have grown and look like proper starfish I have three ranging from 2 cm to 1 cm. When one was on the glass I could see the suckers under the arms. I may have another 20 or so, but they are still small and could be asterina.

Does anyone recognise them? and are they good or bad? They appear to be eating algae so i hope they are goodies.

[clippo]

possibly an asterina sp. mini star.

[msinac]

Not sure what it is but I had some in my tank and they reproduced at quite a rate and i have fished literally hundreds out the out in the past few months so I would get rid asap !!

[petew]

Originally posted by clippo@Mar 1 2005, 12:02
possibly an asterina sp. mini star.
Clippo

I'm almost certain they aren't asterina. I have those too. But these are larger and when one goes on the glass you can see the feelers/suckers on the arms. they also move much quicker than the asterina

[clippo]

OK so I didn't read your first post properly! duh!... possibly could still be a certain type of asterina though given the similarity...

this site may be of use

Advanced Aquarist Spotlight (http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/mar2003/gallery.htm)

[maffu]

nice natural control method... it would imply that the Nardoa eats other stuff as well as Asterina stars... which makes them a much stronger bet than something like a harlequin shrimp... much better for all I reckon.. well except the asterina

I have blue\green asterinas fwiw which have appeared to be eating my green zoo's... I wonder if their diet influnces their colour?

M