Harlequin Shrimp Asterina Starfish Eating Reef Tank Assassin! Control those little white starfish

Asterina stars are little white starfish that appear on your glass and can quickly overpopulate your tank. Its believed that these little starfish split and divide to reproduce. Most are reef safe and harmless however soem species have been known to eat zoas, acanas, other corals and even coralline algae.
This is where the assasian comes in! Harlequin shrimps eat starfish! now this is good and bad.. as they will eat ANY starfish so if you plan on using a Harlequin shrimp to eradicate your little white starfish make sure you remove any sand sifters or other desirable starfish from the tank. (put them in the sump or another tank)
Care should be taken as you need to have a long term plan to care for your Harlequin shrimp. They can quickly clear a tank of asterina stars then starve to death.. so you may want to consider borrowing one or having a backup plan to feed it starfish once your asterina population is taking care of.
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[@theblindreefer8718]

I can see between 20 and 30 of these little starfish so ordered myself a harlequin shrimp nice video mate good information

[@TorxFrag]

Great video as always. I love my harlequin shrimp. He did a great job cleaning up the Asterina star fish in my tank. Although in my 120, there are still Asterina stars that he has not caught. He was already showing signs of being hungry. Basically meaning he could not find all of them in my 120. So I supplement with CC starfish leg. Took me a week to get over the thought of it, but he is happy and hiding again. In the mean time, when I do find an Asterina, I move it towards his cave or just pluck it and move to my horse tank for later.

[@ReefDudes]

Hahah nice. How long did it take him to clear up your 120g?

[@TorxFrag]

ReefDudes I think I got him 4-5 months ago. I had a lot though. I used to scrape out a few dozen a week.

[@WCorbin182]

Great video I've been hit the bell. This my 2nd round with asterena stars and they love eating my zoas 😡. My only issue is having a hogfish they eat any shrimp introduce to the tank. So warning for anybody that have some triggers or hogfish. Also noticed when I had a harlequin shrimp (before the hogfish) the star fish all run for cover on the glass lol once it's introduced

[@ReefDudes]

Hahahah. Ohh your in the notification squad! I have a trigger bit never had a hog fish. So far the shrimp have been safe :)

[@Teachersosa1]

Another great informational video! BTW Fr4nkTheT4nk here!

[@ReefDudes]

Stealthy accounts Frank! Thank you good sir!

[@JCSReefing]

Good vid man. As always!

[@ReefDudes]

Thanks JCS!

[@torimoore103]

Great video! Hope your little assassin puts in some serious work for you. I have tons of those little starfish but mine don't bother coral so I don't mind the.

[@ReefDudes]

Thannks ReefMoore , I never used to mind them..until i saw a few on a Duncan that was loosing a head.. i didn't know if they were the cause or just going after dead tissue.. but either way i started noticing more and more..so I Fitured it was time to tone them down a bit :) I do say i do love this harlequin.. super fascinating! it will be sad to give him back!

[@miamireefer4050]

Great video 👌🙌

[@ReefDudes]

Cheers! Thanks Mate!!

[@jeremybutler2578]

I want stars and these shrimps... its gonna be super hard to choose being that i def dont want an asterina outbreak, but i do want to keep several other varieties of good starfish in my reef tank

[@captivebredcanada]

I like having 1000s of asterinas. They make a great free cleanup crew. The harlequin is very nice though.

[@TheShootsman]

Love these little guys :)

[@ReefDudes]

Me too! they are so fascinating!

[@evaneversole8546]

I smashed that bell and watch all your vids😂 it's sad I just found you

[@ReefDudes]

Better late then never! Thanks so much Evan and welcome to the Channel!

[@koston777]

Really nice tank! Do you put lid on it or not?

[@ReefDudes]

Thank you! Yes i hes a DIY mesh top on it kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWG1q6toiLehZ8k

[@rosedonnapur]

I think those little starfish are adorable I’m gonna plan on getting a set up just for those little guys and maybe get a Harley Quinn as well for my main tank and then if I can’t do this give it a starfish every couple of days and see if it will take it but obviously I’m going to do my research first

[@jdmjose4001]

Good video I hit the Bell

[@CritterHunter]

Interesting stuff. I just filmed harlequin shrimp in the wild here in Philippines. He was even eating a starfish

[@ReefDudes]

Out in the wild? Pretty cool

[@CritterHunter]

@@ReefDudes for sure. Found one yesterday and posted it on my channel

[@1srx246]

Any tips or tricks on catching them once they clear out the tank?

[@usmanqamar7868]

Would Harlequins go after Large brittle sea stars?

[@machantv1247]

Is it safe to keep in a reef tank?

[@ReefDudes]

yes for all except starfish

[@JoseLopez-dw9yr]

Made sure to subscribe and turn notifications on! Following on Instagram too! 👌🏽

[@ReefDudes]

You sir are a Rock star!!!!!!!!!!!

[@JoseLopez-dw9yr]

ReefDudes thanks! Keep up the great content! Btw what size is that tank?

[@ReefDudes]

Why Thank you! Physically end to end is 6'1" (just like me! hehe) 20" Wide and 18" tall. the display volume is around 100G

[@lucasrios7355]

Great vid! #notificationsquad!!

[@serenabowman2214]

I've hit that 🔔

[@ReefDudes]

ohhhh Reef Guy 92 is officially in the Notification Squad!

[@serenabowman2214]

ReefDudes 💪

[@hustlecoralvlogs7675]

Ive had that bell hit for a solid month -1/2 !! common Dev! where my S.O!! :( haha im patient!! my 200 will be full of coral for sale soon ! stability is the key Ive got 3 fish in the system at the moment all doing great just waiting to get some good growing lights :D Ive been slacking on videos SORRY !!!

[@ReefDudes]

Hahaha it's coming buds!!

[@hustlecoralvlogs7675]

Woohoo ! Im hella patient so no worries !! Ive been slacking hard over here to long ! im building a parking lot right now for my Dad at his shop been pretty busy ! :(

[@Deathmage_1]

Nice so after they clear all the pest are you gonna buy starfish for them to survive

[@Deathmage_1]

Nm I see you borrowing it, but what if you can't get them out

[@ReefDudes]

death mage he is always out in he open. Should be easy to catch

[@CatboyChemicalSociety]

you can just buy starfish in the chinese market

[@Octurd]

peaceful? they eat starfish that doesnt sound peacefull haha

[@ReefingwithO]

I hit the bell. I'm in the notification squad. Do I get a prize?

[@Joeyt66]

great video. I just picked up one for my 220g tank. Got lots in there for it to eat. My daughter calls it Harley quinn shrimp. lol . Im from Kingston ontario. where you from ? I subbed. Check my channnel out.

[@ReefDudes]

haha Harley Quinn is a perfect name! Good to have you Joe! I'm from Kelowna BC.

[@arrages23]

Love it! Subbd w dings