A simple approach to feeding Red Fromia starfish

[ncfalco]

I've read countless articles discussing how Red Fromia starfish are prone to starving to death in home aquariums. I wanted to share with the community the success I've had feeding these starfish powdered Polyp Lab Reef Roids, as a means of supplementing their diet.

My approach is to first turn off all the pumps in my aquarium. I then take 1 tsp of Reef Roids and mix it with about 2ml of water. This makes a thick paste that I am able to then collect with a turkey baster or pipet. As my starfish is normally on the glass, I then slowly drip (~2 drops per minute) the Reef Roid paste as close as I can to the center of the starfish.

As you drip the paste onto the starfish, the Reef Roids will collect onto its side. The starfish will then extend its stomach and direct the food towards its center, much like how corals direct food towards their mouths. In the attached photo, you will see my Red Fromia starfish ingesting the food. Notice the collection of food at the center of the starfish. The key here is to go very slow in order to give the starfish sufficient time to respond to the food. If this takes you less than ten minutes, you're feeding too fast.

I want to stress that this is not a replacement for adding these starfish to a stable system that has sufficient biofilms for the starfish to graze on naturally throughout the day. I feed my starfish at the same time as my corals, once every 3 days or more depending on my nitrate and phosphate levels. I also add about 80ml of nanochloropsis phytoplanton to my 45 gallon mixed reef tank every morning. This not only helps feed my filter feeders and reduce the nutrient levels in my tank, it also creates a thin film algae on the glass that is beneficial to the starfish.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

How long have you had your star?

 

[ncfalco]

I've only had it for ~3 months, so time will tell if this is a viable long term method. I just wanted to share the feeding response that I've observed. The starfish seems happy, and is clearly taking in the food, but will this meet its long term nutritional requirements is TBD.

 

[Lavey29]

Mines been in the tank over 2 years. I never direct feed him. He just cruises around and finds food.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Congrats and I wish you luck, but personally I think you shoot the gun a little early, 3 months is not very long

EDIT: keep updating the thread, it will be interesting to follow

 

[ncfalco]

@Mr. Mojo Rising That's fair, so take this post with a grain of salt. But if you have one, I don't see any harm in trying to target feed it as I've been doing.

 

[lamarsh]

@ncfalco hi, im interested on this, do you have any updates? thanks

 

[Jasonak]

Ditto

 

[Jsanchez036]

I've only had it for ~3 months, so time will tell if this is a viable long term method. I just wanted to share the feeding response that I've observed. The starfish seems happy, and is clearly taking in the food, but will this meet its long term nutritional requirements is TBD.

It's been a little bit over a year now. Do you still have the star and if not how long did it last? I picked one up today without realizing how difficult they may be to keep fed

 

[Kactai]

Yup, an update would be great. My wife wants one of these quite badly but I already have a nardoa in my 180g.

 

[ncfalco]

Hi gang, I’ve since moved and have a new tank but have found these starfish to be extremely easy to keep. I have a new one in my 130 gallon and it’s doing great. They forage the rock work and eat detritus and other microbes. I’ve come to the conclusion that direct feeding isn’t necessary assuming your tank is established with enough biodiversity.

 

[revhtree]

Hi gang, I’ve since moved and have a new tank but have found these starfish to be extremely easy to keep. I have a new one in my 130 gallon and it’s doing great. They forage the rock work and eat detritus and other microbes. I’ve come to the conclusion that direct feeding isn’t necessary assuming your tank is established with enough biodiversity.

How long are you able to keep these?