Urgent is this a reef compatible star fish??

hey just found out its a one of the Asterina star. here is how it looks (found from internet pics)
Nano-Reef.com Gallery - Asterina Star
Goose Foot Starfish (Asterina Pectinifera) Royalty Free Stock Photo, Pictures, Images And Stock Photography. Image 8100834.

 

I could be wrong but I don't think it is an asternia star. Up to you but I wouldn't keep it in a reef. And I don't believe if would be happy in the acrylic breeder.

 

I was wanting to take a stab at this one. I think it is an Asterina but also cushion. There is a strand of Asterina called Asterina gibbosa or Asterina phylactica. I found some information on both. Running short on time now but both of those stay relatively small. Hope this might help steer you in the right direction.

 

hey its Asterina phylactica, i searched many pics and compared to my star, looks 90% similar. what should i do?

 

Well, that's your call. What I can tell you though if we are correct on what it is they will remain rather small. I found an pdf of a field study that was done on both species I mention because for many years they were thought to be just one species here and this site claims to know what they eat. Others here claim cushions are bad but from what I was reading about these, either of these particular species, doesn't seem bad for a reef. From what I read when I skimmed over those was that they are scavengers but usually eat algae and seaweed, but seems if some dead flesh is laying around they would eat it. I didn't see anything about them eating corals though.

I personally, if I liked the look of it, would just keep an eye on it for a while and if I didn't notice anything funky going on would just keep it. It's going to stay relatively small.

 

I had a friend who had an asternia in his reef, he didnt remove it, a few weeks later there were tons.. Bye bye coral.. Dont risk it, most starfish arent reef safe, brittle stars sometimes are, but most of the thicker legged guys are predatory, but in the end its your call, if you like buying your corals for something to eat thats up to you

 

lol. i have a huge colony of zoas. and lfs sold me this star for 3$, so i just have 1. if it kills any zoa, il remove it. will see for 3-8 days.

 

well till now it has not attacked any corals yet. its hiding in my LR.

 

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I've never had issue with rogue asterina stars but I've heard some have. Its very pretty regardless when I find things in my tank that I'm not sure about I just watch them for a bit (within reason...)

Sent from my zombie ninja pirate.