Asternia starfish

[Sarahann31190]

I've been reading a lot of controversy on them.
I just found one on the new live rock I got, should I remove it? Or just leave it be? The biggest thing I'm worrying about is it eating what I have alive in the tank (mushrooms and very small polyps).

 

[reptileguy2727]

They are usually not harmful, they are actually beneficial. However, there are some species that will eat corals. If you see them on corals, not just passing over them or eating between them but actually on and eating them, then you have bad ones and need to take care of them. I have lots in my tank and they never bother the corals, they are usually on glass or bare rock eating algae.

 

[Amphiprion]

Luck of the draw as far as them harming corals. Some species seem to decimate corals, whereas others never touch them. On the whole, however, they aren't particularly beneficial, as they eat various worms, etc.

 

[Sarahann31190]

I just found another one, a darker colored one.
I hope I have the good ones.