Predator Starfish Threaten Coral Reefs In The Philippines

[Redwinger]

An infestation of predator starfish is decimating large tracts of coral reef throughout the Philippines. The spiny and toxic crown-of-thorns starfish are voracious predators that can wipe out large areas of coral; an individual can consume up to 6 square metres of living reef per year.

More... (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070415120743.htm)

[droinablunt]

So has anyone seen that 3 foot brittle star eating starfish on the planet earth show?

[Frogbone]

They had a full hour report of these crown of thorn bastards destroying the Great Barrier reef.

The reproduce like there is no tomorrow and they have no natural predator.

Kiling them requires divers to inject something into each leg. If they miss one the thing survives.

Pretty nasty !!

[MNGold15]

They do have natural predators, the triton snails. But the tritons have not been able to keep up. I made a post here about the attack on the great barrier reef, but it must have been deleted for some reason.

[johnzillmer]

Here's a pretty good (and not sensationalized) article that's relevant:

http://www.sbg.ac.at/ipk/avstudio/pierofun/planci/planci.htm

Consider especially (though ignore the misspelling) that "Spines in sediments from fossil reefs (dating back some 3500 years) proof that they have been an important part of reef life ever since."

[tico mike]

I have seen these scuba diving off Cano Island in Costa Rica. It's absolutely amazing to watch the acro crabs attacking the starfish. You'd be surprised how effective they are. They are incredible looking creatures. Too bad they eat corals.

[Trimixdiver]

I saw them when I was diving on Coco Island off of Costa Rica too. They're really cool to watch, I wish they weren't so destructive.

[wolmutt]

Discovery channel did a special on coral reefs and showed one of these things moving along the base of the reef. It was so cool, they also eat many forms of start fish, and there was a huge mass of brittle and serpent stars doing everything they could to not be eaten by this thing. A foot ahead of it was like 200 star fish trying to skuddle away.