my red star

New Guy · Oct 13, 2012

How can I tell if my new red star fish is either dying, trying to heal, or sick. Two limbs are ok one limb has a white tip and two others half missing with white tips. This is how I bought it from the store. Id like to try and save him which is why I bought it in the first place. He is moving pretty well and keeps climbing the wall of my tank then curling in his arms he will fall back down then repeat. Any answers?

New Guy · Oct 13, 2012

Loki · Oct 13, 2012

I am unsure of the reason but maybe it is starving. Try giving it some food. Just put some food on one of its outstretched arms and it will work the food to its mouth. It probably wouldn't hurt if the food was meaty as well. Maybe a few mysis shrimp or something similar. Hope that helps

SeahorseKeeper · Oct 13, 2012

The same thing happened to my knobby starfish. Unfortunately, my knobby passed away. :( I would try feeding it.

Kworker · Oct 13, 2012

:( I'm not experience with Stars at all but just passing through wishing you and the star luck!

ritter6788 · Oct 13, 2012

Starfish do that when they die. They drop limbs and fall apart.

Downbeach · Oct 13, 2012

If it isn't in your QT, I'd suggest moving it there. That way if it happens to die, it won't be stuck somewhere in your rock work and create a problem for you. It's also going to be a better place to bring it back to health. As was mentioned, I would target feed it a few times a week. You aren't raising any Harlequin Shrimp in your tank are you?

New Guy · Oct 13, 2012

Thank you for all of the advice and to start answering. I have no harlequin shrimp and I have only had the star fish since yesterday morning and after about six hours I target fed the starfish and my bubble anemone with mysis shrimp which I plan on doing today again before work

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Loki · Oct 13, 2012

That's a good food to feed it. Good luck and keep us updated! I hope it's not to late for the little guy.

New Guy · Oct 14, 2012

Loki2902 said:
That's a good food to feed it. Good luck and keep us updated! I hope it's not to late for the little guy.

Thank you

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New Guy · Oct 14, 2012

Star fish if dead I believe and I wouldn't be surprised if the rest of my stuff died just tested my water how do I bring my nitrates and nitrites down to 0

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SeahorseKeeper · Oct 14, 2012

:( I would do a water change. How high are the nitrites and nitrates?

New Guy · Oct 15, 2012

SeahorseKeeper said:
:( I would do a water change. How high are the nitrites and nitrates?

I just did my water change I had a massive spike and I'm trying to
See if I can move my anemone back to the store for better conditions
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revhtree · Oct 15, 2012

Sorry about your loss. Don't get frustrated as this is a learning experience. We have all been there.

New Guy · Oct 15, 2012

revhtree said:
Sorry about your loss. Don't get frustrated as this is a learning experience. We have all been there.

Thank you

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New Guy · Oct 28, 2012

Tank update: levels are were there need to be and everything is thriving thank you to every ones advice. I'm love with this forum!

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TheSaint216 · Oct 28, 2012

Did you take it back where you got it? It had a bacterial infection probably when you got it.

New Guy · Oct 28, 2012

TheSaint216 said:
Did you take it back where you got it? It had a bacterial infection probably when you got it.

No it ended up dissolving away and I had to dispose of it.

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Norcalreefer · Oct 31, 2012

It's been a long long time since I had a starfish, so I'd double check this, but I thought I remember reading something adding a little extra salt to the QT tank for them. I also think I read that they need a fairly large amount of food, but again this was a long time ago and I'd double check before acting.