Jump to content
Top Shelf Aquatics

Astrina Star


Merthynia

Recommended Posts

I have never found such an interesting hitchhiker in my tank before. This is especially true because it is a very small tank and I inspect each thing that goes in. I have no idea how he snuck in but I'd like to hear some thoughts. I know some are known for munching on corals, but is there any true way to tell other than wait for it to eat something?

 

20475158703_b6a4ad2423_k.jpg

Link to comment

That is what the ones that were plaguing my tank looked like. Rounded tips as opposed to the pointy ones. That said it could go either way. Watch and see if you like... I'll fetch that pic for ya.

 

 

 

Edit: It was easier than I thought

 

 

These are the ones that I suspected were going after the coral. They actually look a little different than what you have.

20141230_134220_zpsbsits59n.jpg

 

 

 

I also had this type but they seemed less suspicious.

 

20141217_041829_zpsweunvvik.jpg

Link to comment

Thank you, I guess I was just excited about finding something awesome in my tank, even if I knew the chances were slim that I could keep it. Currently it seems to be cleaning my rock, but I don't want to come home in a week and find out it ate a bunch of zoas

Link to comment

95% of asterina are good guys, I say give little dude a chance, even if it's in quarantine.

Most of the coral killer pics I have seen don't look like yours either.

Link to comment

That looks like one of the safer types. They don't reproduce very quickly so I say give him a pass but keep a good eye on your corals. If he turns into a jerk you can grab him again. Thankfully they don't move very quick. :happy:

Link to comment

95% of asterina are good guys, I say give little dude a chance, even if it's in quarantine.

I'd hoped you would chime in. The only problem is I don't have a quarantine. I can put him in my AC HOB, but he may easily climb right out of that. I guess it is worth a chance

That looks like one of the safer types. They don't reproduce very quickly so I say give him a pass but keep a good eye on your corals. If he turns into a jerk you can grab him again. Thankfully they don't move very quick. :happy:

:) Thank you! Hopefully he remains a good citizen. It'd be nice if he continues to help clean off the rocks

That is what the ones that were plaguing my tank looked like. Rounded tips as opposed to the pointy ones. That said it could go either way. Watch and see if you like... I'll fetch that pic for ya.

 

 

 

Edit: It was easier than I thought

 

 

These are the ones that I suspected were going after the coral. They actually look a little different than what you have.

20141230_134220_zpsbsits59n.jpg

 

 

 

I also had this type but they seemed less suspicious.

 

20141217_041829_zpsweunvvik.jpg

Oh I just saw your pictures. They do look really cute though, too bad they weren't playing nice with others!

Link to comment

I'd hoped you would chime in. The only problem is I don't have a quarantine. I can put him in my AC HOB, but he may easily climb right out of that. I guess it is worth a chance

 

:) Thank you! Hopefully he remains a good citizen. It'd be nice if he continues to help clean off the rocks

 

Oh I just saw your pictures. They do look really cute though, too bad they weren't playing nice with others!

Maybe you shouldn't even bother isolating the little dude

the thing about asterina is the good guys usually never come on a new coral frag, so if some day you get one on your brand new coral, isolate him no matter what, the reason is bad ones eat coral so they stick where the food is available.

Link to comment

Maybe you shouldn't even bother isolating the little dude

the thing about asterina is the good guys usually never come on a new coral frag, so if some day you get one on your brand new coral, isolate him no matter what, the reason is bad ones eat coral so they stick where the food is available.

Using this information I'm not sure if he is safe. I can't imagine he came in on anything other than coral since my rock was dry.

Link to comment

Using this information I'm not sure if he is safe. I can't imagine he came in on anything other than coral since my rock was dry.

oh, how long has it been since your last new coral?
Link to comment

2 weeks, Although I've confirmed that it didn't come from either of my brother's tanks (which is where those came from). I asked lawn if he happens to have some in his tank, but he is probably out and about at the moment. If that is the case, then it has been in there for 4 weeks? Maybe 5 now. Beyond that I'm not sure. I dip all my corals quite extensively and pick them over with tweezers to make sure nothing comes in.

Link to comment

2 weeks, Although I've confirmed that it didn't come from either of my brother's tanks (which is where those came from). I asked lawn if he happens to have some in his tank, but he is probably out and about at the moment. If that is the case, then it has been in there for 4 weeks? Maybe 5 now. Beyond that I'm not sure. I dip all my corals quite extensively and pick them over with tweezers to make sure nothing comes in.

4 weeks is long, you almost certainly would have seen serious damage by now if he was a bad one, I'd take him off the suspicion list in that case.
Link to comment

4 weeks is long, you almost certainly would have seen serious damage by now if he was a bad one, I'd take him off the suspicion list in that case.

Yay! I'm keeping him in my 3gal tank just in case he does happen to go on a rampage. I can easily remove all the rocks and find him if need be. :happy: My first exciting hitchhiker!

Link to comment

They are a great part of your CUC, I had a HUGE explosiion of them in my 20L When I upgraed to my 40B there doesn't seem to be as many of them but they are still there.

Link to comment

Yay! I'm keeping him in my 3gal tank just in case he does happen to go on a rampage. I can easily remove all the rocks and find him if need be. :happy: My first exciting hitchhiker!

sounds great to me :)
Link to comment

They usually aren't so symmetrical! All of mine have anywhere fro one to 6 legs which are different sizes. lol

Someone also posted that they don't multiply very quickly... That isn't totally accurate.

Link to comment

They usually aren't so symmetrical! All of mine have anywhere fro one to 6 legs which are different sizes. lol

Someone also posted that they don't multiply very quickly... That isn't totally accurate.

 

different species have different habits, some asterina just don't like to stay intact lol, like the ones you are familiar with.
Link to comment

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recommended Discussions

×
×
  • Create New...