Help please

[Dtfnemo]

HI guys, about two weeks ago my brother got this little starfish. I just noticed that one of the arms look's like if it is hurt. I haven't noticed this before It looks like if it is shedding, a shrimp was close to it so I don't know if it hurt it some how. Have any of you seen this before, is it normal?
Thank you guys.

 

[melypr1985]

I'm sorry, but it's starting to die. I've seen it many times. These guys are difficult to keep in a tank. I'm not sure what to do about it though. I've never been able to save one. Let's get some back up for this and see if anybody else has an idea.

#reefsquad

 

[jsker]

I have had three that have not made it, and I will not have another. Starfish are very hard to keep especially in a system that is smaller and not established.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

ug. so sorry. it may be on its way out.

 

[Dtfnemo]

I'm sorry, but it's starting to die. I've seen it many times. These guys are difficult to keep in a tank. I'm not sure what to do about it though. I've never been able to save one. Let's get some back up for this and see if anybody else has an idea.

#reefsquad

:(:(:( noo that's bad news.
It seem very healthy and water parameters are all good. Do you know what could of make it get sick?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

:(:(:( noo that's bad news.
It seem very healthy and water parameters are all good. Do you know what could of make it get sick?

could possibly maybe an acclimation thing, but likely was starving. Most of these we dont always know what they eat. The find what they need in older tanks as theres lots of strange funk and sponges.
so if was at the store a while it was likely already on its way out. what kind of shrimp and crabs do you have?

 

[Dtfnemo]

ug. so sorry. it may be on its way out.

That's bad news, it looks healthy it is moving all over the tank, any idea what could of couse it:(

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

That's bad news, it looks healthy it is moving all over the tank, any idea what could of couse it:(

do you know the name of the sea star?

 

[melypr1985]

do you know the name of the sea star?

Looks like it might be a black tip fromia star.

That's bad news, it looks healthy it is moving all over the tank, any idea what could of couse it:(

Like salty said... it is probably starting to starve. I've heard rumors that if they are exposed to air during shipping that it could cause them to fair badly, but that's not something I've been able to prove. It's just a rumor. There are people out there that have had them survive for a long time, but they are few and far between. If you want a starfish I would suggest a serpent or brittle star (not the green kind!)

 

[Dtfnemo]

I don't know the name of it, the place that my brother bought it from is pretty good the guys there really know their stuff and don't really try to just sell they make sure that the tank has what the animal needs to survive. Supposedly they said it will eat the algae and that it is reef safe. I wasn't there when he bought it so I can't really tell.
I have a medium size shrimp red aND white. About 13 small blue knuckle hermits, one Halloween crab ( I think that's the name) and a big Brown hermit.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

yea, maybe a longer acclimation. maybe maybe it may pull through. Don't clean the glass apparently

http://www.bluezooaquatics.com/productDetail.asp?cid=85&pid=1260&did=2

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

one Halloween crab ( I think that's the name) and a big Brown hermit.

@melypr1985 predation? or it was acclimation. says realllllllly long on blue zoo.

 

[steve&mari]

I also don't have good news as I agree with everyone above. They are a mysterious creature beautiful but unfortunately we don't have great information and success stories with them. As said normally ones that thrive are in larger well established reefs. Acclamation and feeding properly are controversial subjects. Hopefully someone else will have better ideas.

 

[steve&mari]

@melypr1985 predation? or it was acclimation. says realllllllly long on blue zoo.

Does have spots on it that may be predation injury possibly. But acclamation and feeding are huge issues with them. Deterioration from poor diet could be what we see I'm guessing.

 

[Sabellafella]

:(:(:( noo that's bad news.
It seem very healthy and water parameters are all good. Do you know what could of make it get sick?

=( its just one of those unknown, unresearched aspects of the hobby. Hope the little fella makes it

 

[Dtfnemo]

@melypr1985 predation? or it was acclimation. says realllllllly long on blue zoo.

Probably predation. It was acclimated for a really long time, I remember my brother said the guys at the shop told him about the long and slow acclimation.
The tank has been stabling for a few years I believe. But it was moved from one house to another about 3 or 4 months ago maybe more. I really hope it makes it :(

 

[Dtfnemo]

Thank you very much guys!!!
Thanks for the fast response.
I'm still new to this forum but I can tell this is a very nice community, always trying to help giving good tips and information. Hopefully one day I can help other people as much as you guys help me.
Here is a pic of that Halloween crab, is he a nice guy or should I keep my eye in it?

 

[steve&mari]

He should be fine Halloween crabs are pretty neat.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Some inverts such as sea stars and anemones are on their way out by the time they reach the stores.

 

[melypr1985]

@melypr1985 predation? or it was acclimation. says realllllllly long on blue zoo.

It could be, but like I said. I've seen this a hundred times at the store. They keep ordering them and about 90% die very slowly just like this. It starts out in little spots where they are deteriorating then spreads. They still move around until it's more advanced then they just kinda melt away into a gross blob. I had one shipment of Linkias where they all made it. In that one we had the wholesalers bag them with no air in the bag at all. We specifically told them not to expose them to air AT ALL during the whole process. We acclimated them for several hours and never exposed them to air the whole time. They all made it and they all sold. Not proof of anything, but it's a good story :) I should add that we tried that again 3 more times and never had the same result. We still lost about 90% those other 3 times.