Sea Star ID

[rroselavy]

Hey all.

Found another critter in the DT. Roughly 5/8" in diameter, penta-symetric. From initial research I was thinking Asterina, but most pics of Asterinas I have found are 7 legs and or irregular length arms. Any ideas?

[Phurst]

I would have said asternia as well. That's what I assumed they were when I had the same.

[rroselavy]

Phurst-

Did you remove your Asterinas for fear that they might feed on your corals, or did you take a wait-and-see approach?

Thanks!

[Phurst]

I never had any problems with them at all. Of course I never saw more than 3 or 4 in the tank at any one time, but the ones I did see were always just walking around on the glass. I guess there wasn't enough of whatever they eat to really sustain a large population, which is one of the primary complaints I hear about them.

[CarmieJo]

I've got a variety of asterina and have never had any problems with them.