Starfish
Asterina starfish
Aquilonastra and related small asterinids
- Group
- Starfish
- Care level
- Beginner
- With corals
- Reef safe with caution
What does the asterina starfish do in a reef tank?
Mostly film algae and detritus; some forms eat corals, especially zoanthids typical, check
With corals: Usually; watch them
How many should you keep?
Arrive uninvited and breed by splitting
One US gallon is 3.785 litres and one UK gallon is 4.546 litres, so a "per gallon" rule depends on whose gallon it means.
What can go wrong?
Occasional coral damage typical, check
Which tankmates are risky?
Fish
Fish that may eat or harass it.
None of the fish in this guide is known to eat or harass it.
Other invertebrates
Invertebrates it may harm, or that may harm it.
Avoid together (1)
- Harlequin shrimpHarlequin shrimp eat starfish.
These checks follow the reasons fish and invertebrates clash: same species or genus, similar shape, mouth size, temperament, food, burrows, tank size and the order they are added. Individual animals differ; every source agrees on that.
Sources
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Related invertebrates
Sand sifting starfish
Astropecten polyacanthus
Not for beginners
- Care
- Advanced
- Group
- Starfish
- Corals
- Reef safe with caution
Photo Nick Hobgood, CC BY-SA 3.0
Blue Linckia starfish
Linckia laevigata
- Care
- Advanced
- Group
- Starfish
- Corals
- Reef safe
Photo dr.scott.mills, CC BY-SA 2.0