Help needed... I've done a very silly thing... Bought a feather star

[Gweeds1980]

...ive just come home with a red feather star... I know, I know.

Before everyone jumps on the bandwagon... I know how difficult these are and yes, it should have been left in the ocean and yes I know it will likely die in a few months...

However, I've bought the thing now, so I've got to have a go at keeping it alive as long as possible...

I've acclimated it as per other stars I have (drip acclimated over 4 hours)... I'm not going to QT as I don't QT inverts any more as a rule and because I think it needs the space and food in the DT.

I'd love to hear from anyone who has practical experience of these... what did you feed and how often, what flow etc etc...

I believe it's a Himerometra robustipina if that helps...

I'll be releasing it into the DT in the next 30 mins or so, will post a pic then.

 

[Gweeds1980]

Pic

 

[Gweeds1980]

Pic

Pic not working... I have no idea!

 

[Gweeds1980]

Here we go...

 

[Dizzirn]

It's beautiful

 

[Gweeds1980]

It's beautiful

Thanks... and it's feeding!! I just hope I can get enough of the rights things for it :/

 

[Tahoe61]

Hopefully bongoshrimp chimes in. There is a difference between pushing the envelop and creating a market for a specimen that does not survive captivity. Best of luck, they are fascinating, but few have been able keep them a live long term and those few knew what they were doing and that is good enough for me to avoid providing a market for them.

 

[Gweeds1980]

Hopefully bongoshrimp chimes in. There is a difference between pushing the envelop and creating a market for a specimen that does not survive captivity. Best of luck, they are fascinating, but few have been able keep them a live long term and those few knew what they were doing and that is good enough for me to avoid providing a market for them.

I agree... it was almost an out of body experience... the whole time I was thinking 'why are you buying this?'... the moment I left the shop I knew I shouldn't have.

But, we live and learn. I won't be getting another that's for sure.

As stated, just hoping I can keep it alive... y
Going to invest in an auto feeder and fill it with my homebrew food, which it's accepting atm.

Will be a pain to keep cleaning a feeder every day, but worth it if it means keeping this guy alive.

Worth dosing zooplankton too?

@bongoshrimp... you're the expert apparently? Please Help!

 

[johnzena]

I agree... it was almost an out of body experience... the whole time I was thinking 'why are you buying this?'... the moment I left the shop I knew I shouldn't have.

But, we live and learn. I won't be getting another that's for sure.

As stated, just hoping I can keep it alive... y
Going to invest in an auto feeder and fill it with my homebrew food, which it's accepting atm.

Will be a pain to keep cleaning a feeder every day, but worth it if it means keeping this guy alive.

Worth dosing zooplankton too?

@bongoshrimp... you're the expert apparently? Please Help!

I bought one to. I had to try. It wasnt happy for a couple days. He is in a cavity of one of my rocks and his feathers are completely out and visible. He has been in that spot going on 2 weeks now and seems pretty happy. He is feeding. Time will tell.

 

[Gweeds1980]

I bought one to. I had to try. It wasnt happy for a couple days. He is in a cavity of one of my rocks and his feathers are completely out and visible. He has been in that spot going on 2 weeks now and seems pretty happy. He is feeding. Time will tell.

Take a look at the diary I'm running, some really useful info from @AcroNem

https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php?threads/319296/

Cheers.

 

[Oceanwave45]

Wow!!! So so pretty! I want one! But I will see how your experience goes first!

Good luck!!!!

 

[AcroNem]

They're not just difficult, specialized filter feeders are in a different category entirely. Thanks for linking that @Gweeds1980. I put a fair amount of info in that thread you should read.