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Written by Renee Coles   
Friday, 13 July 2007

These little guys have gotten sort of a mixed review as far as their "reef-safeness" is concerned. Most people have seen them munching happily away on film algaes.

 

Asterina

Common Name: micro-star, mini-star

 

 

Then there are others who have seen them destroying a leather, acropora or gorgonian. There are two theories circulating about these differing behaviours. One is that there is more than one species and are very difficult to tell apart; one eats film algaes and the other eats corals. But then there is also the theory that they are opportunistic and feed on corals when their supply of algaes are running out. But don't jump to conclusions that they are consuming your corals when you seen them on there... more than likely they are just cleaning to film off the coral. The odds of finding a coral predator are low.

 

They may be seen wearing different colors. Their base color is white/tan and they then adopt film algae and coralline for varied color.

 

They can have many legs and many shapes.

 

Flusher or a Keeper? A keeper with caution. May eat some corals under certain conditions.
Removal Suggestions Manual extraction.

 

 

Suggested Further Reading, Websites and References:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/ac/feature/index.php

Do you have a critter you would like an ID on? Visit Talking Reef's Critter Forum with a picture and a description for more information.

Photo credit: Renee Coles-Hix

 

 

 

 


Renee Coles
About the author:

Chief Editor

it started with a Boy and a Betta. I'm a nurse and I bought a betta fish for a little boy who was hospital bound waiting for a kidney transplant. The call finally came and he was transported to a non-local hospital leaving me behind.... with his fish.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 14 July 2007 )
 
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