So... I have a Harlequin now, got him from LFS to deal with Asterina infestation, which it's been doing a good job for 2 weeks and the population is dwindling.
Plan A was to move the little guy on to another reefer with a similar problem when the time was right, and so on.
However, I am close enough to the coast (Maine) and have access to both shoreline and lobster fisherman that I could source wild sea stars (hopefully reliably). Figure it's only one a month.
The most common is A. Forbesi, but there are a number of species around supposedly.
Questions:
1) Freeze it or live?
2) Will it survive if acclimated to temp?
I see they range down to Caribbean so theoretically the temperature change is manageable. I recognize the lifespan would be short given the shrimp's presence, but I might acquire multiple at a time and sump them.
3) Pathogens from cool water - large concern or minor?
4) Other unintended consequences?
I know water quality (NO3) issues, but beyond that.
... Other thoughts?
Plan A was to move the little guy on to another reefer with a similar problem when the time was right, and so on.
However, I am close enough to the coast (Maine) and have access to both shoreline and lobster fisherman that I could source wild sea stars (hopefully reliably). Figure it's only one a month.
The most common is A. Forbesi, but there are a number of species around supposedly.
Questions:
1) Freeze it or live?
2) Will it survive if acclimated to temp?
I see they range down to Caribbean so theoretically the temperature change is manageable. I recognize the lifespan would be short given the shrimp's presence, but I might acquire multiple at a time and sump them.
3) Pathogens from cool water - large concern or minor?
4) Other unintended consequences?
I know water quality (NO3) issues, but beyond that.
... Other thoughts?
