Little starfish on clams? Bad??

Discussion in 'Clams' started by Toallhisdoom, Feb 9, 2013.

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  1. Toallhisdoom

    Toallhisdoom Dragon Wrasse

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    So was cleaning glass. Bumped clam and it closed up its mantle. Noticed a few of these tiny starfish? On him. Wondering if they are harmful? Also noticed a ton of little pin holes on clam shell, not sure if they are from the stars???

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  3. Toallhisdoom

    Toallhisdoom Dragon Wrasse

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  4. Mr. Bill

    Mr. Bill Native Floridian

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    Most likely just asterina stars grazing on the coralline algae on the shell. Sea stars have no means of "drilling" into a clam shell, and those that do feed on clams must find one of appropriate size and pry it open.
     
  5. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    +1..
     
  6. cashmn

    cashmn Plankton

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    Yep, those are asterina stars.
     
  7. Greg@LionfishLair

    Greg@LionfishLair 3reef Sponsor

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    Check your clam's byssal area. While Asterinas generally aren't a problem, I've had them kill a maxima by chewing out its byssal organ.
     
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  9. Toallhisdoom

    Toallhisdoom Dragon Wrasse

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    So maybe thats what happened to my new little maxima...The derasa is doing fine as always. But the new maxima i added a few weeks ago died. :(