Asterina starfish are tiny (5-15mm) starfish that hitchhike in on rock and reproduce by fission. Some species eat coral; most are harmless detritus-eaters.
Hitchhiked in on uncured rock or live coral.
Always treat in a separate quarantine tank.
Dip new pieces; cure rock for 4-6 weeks before placement.
Small 5-15mm starfish on rock or glass. Multiplying rapidly. Sometimes seen on coral.
Hitchhiked in on uncured rock or live coral.
Harlequin shrimp: Harlequin shrimp eat ONLY starfish. One pair will clear an Asterina population in 2-4 weeks. After cleanup, you must continue providing starfish (frozen or trade-acquired).
Dip new pieces; cure rock for 4-6 weeks before placement.
Variable - most are harmless, some species eat coral
Browse the full disease database for 45 aquarium conditions with treatment protocols, or check the care library for prevention-focused husbandry guides. Use our symptom matcher to rank likely diseases from observed signs, the water parameter checker to diagnose related water-quality issues, or the QT timeline calculator to plan a treatment schedule.