ID on Star

[ChilisREasy]

what kind is this ?

[LadyReefNeck]

Asternia Starfish. Algae grazer. I have alot of them in 2 of my tanks but they are pale colored, almost white. I've read that the darker colored ones need to be watched as they sometimes become coral munchers.

[LeslieH]

Actually these little stars have been moved out of the genus Asterina and into Aquilonastra. There are 24 species in the genus which may have quite different feeding preferences. Since they are difficult to identify it's impossible to predict if ones that show up in a tank will be reef safe or not, although most are.

[kyrie_eleison]

pretty cool!

[LeslieH]

Originally Posted by LeslieH

Actually these little stars have been moved out of the genus Asterina and into Aquilonastra. There are 24 species in the genus which may have quite different feeding preferences. Since they are difficult to identify it's impossible to predict if ones that show up in a tank will be reef safe or not, although most are.

Found some more papers on the subject. The family Asterinidae has been split into 26 genera and these little asexually reproducing stars are found in several genera, not just Aquilonastra. So there are many more than 24 possibilities.

Taxonomists can be so annoying!

[Loverotties]

If you see one there is more.