Pic of friendly Asterina Stars

Discussion in 'Inverts' started by crank2211, Jan 17, 2011.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. crank2211

    crank2211 Purple Spiny Lobster

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2009
    Messages:
    460
    I noticed these friendly love-stars holding hands for awhile on my glass last night as I was cleaning it.


    [​IMG]


    Presumably, shenanigans ensued and they soon parted ways.

    [​IMG]

    I helped mediate the ordeal with my mag float. My glass is now much cleaner, and these guys worked out their problems on the sand. :)
     
    1 person likes this.
  2. Click Here!

  3. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2010
    Messages:
    19,652
    Location:
    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    Two starfish passing in the night. ;D

    Looks like they have been loosing legs to make more asternia. They have their little tummys out too, eating the film algae I suppose.
     
    1 person likes this.
  4. Zoanthids21

    Zoanthids21 McKoscker’s Flasher Wrasse

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2010
    Messages:
    2,249
    Location:
    Charlotte, NC
    Isnt those the ones that have been known to eat some softies in the past? if they more then 3 or 4 legs? cant remember how many.
     
  5. jtr38230

    jtr38230 Skunk Shrimp

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2010
    Messages:
    271
    Location:
    Tennessee
    I love star fish they are fun to watch. The shenanigans was over sports...lol
     
  6. crank2211

    crank2211 Purple Spiny Lobster

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2009
    Messages:
    460
    I wasn't aware that they lost their legs to make new starfish. That's pretty interesting - thanks for giving me a new topic to research k+

    I also wasn't aware of this. I haven't really noticed a decline in the few softies I do have, other than a colony or two of zoas. They once flourished in my tank, lately they seem to be disappearing. Possibly related? I never thought to attribute it to the stars.
     
  7. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2009
    Messages:
    19,258
    Location:
    Sparks, NV
    There is only one bad species of Asterina stars supposedly and they are very rare in the hobby. Those guys are safe because the bad ones only eat coral.
     
  8. Click Here!

  9. Va Reef

    Va Reef Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2010
    Messages:
    3,627
    Location:
    Chesapeake, Va
    you should make that first pic your avatar pic ;D its so cute haha
     
  10. Zoanthids21

    Zoanthids21 McKoscker’s Flasher Wrasse

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2010
    Messages:
    2,249
    Location:
    Charlotte, NC
    Oh alright..Well i think i have seen those rare ones in my 29g a while ago..My softies were going down hill until i moved the LR and saw them on the coral..Took them out and the softies went back to doing well.
     
  11. crank2211

    crank2211 Purple Spiny Lobster

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2009
    Messages:
    460
    My girlfriend thought so also. She said shes going to use it on facebook.

    I do need to get in gear and set an avatar pic, I've been procrastinating for two years already!
     
  12. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2010
    Messages:
    19,652
    Location:
    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    These pictures demonstrate that asternia can have any number of legs and you can not tell one that eats corals from one that doesn't by the number of legs.

    In the picture one has 7 appendages and the other 6. Tomorrow one may have only 5 or 4 as they drop them off to grow new stars.

    Great images.