Is my starfish dead..?

[Annelise]

He was doing GREAT. Got him 2 days ago and acclimated for 2 hours. He looked like this when I came home today.

 

[Annelise]

Will post pic as soon as I figure out how

 

[Annelise]

The brighter image was taken after the darker one.

 

[Gareth elliott]

What type of sea star? What color was it when purchased?
Ime 2 hours might not have been enough acclimation time for a sea star. I still see tube feet, and its legs havent started to fall apart. But if there was a drastic color change, i am not hopeful tbh.

I usually shoot somewhere between 3-4 hours.
That said sea stars other than brittle stars are not the best reef additions, most are best left in the ocean.

 

[Musovski]

does it feel soft or firm? dont squeeze it hard.

 

[Annelise]

One o the legs look like it was starting to fall apart. Its a marble star I believe. It was just slightly darker when I got it but the lights make it seem brighter than it is in the pic.

 

[Annelise]

And it’s firm.

 

[Annelise]

Three legs were falling apart. He was going very quickly. Decided to take him out so it wouldn't hurt the tank.. Guess I'll just either acclimate longer next time, or not get one at all. In other news, I can now get sexy shrimp, lol.

 

[Gareth elliott]

What size tank and how old? And inhabitants?

 

[Annelise]

30g 3 months old, but when I set it up it had already a established water and lr and sand from a year old tank so.

 

[4FordFamily]

30g 3 months old, but when I set it up it had already a established water and lr and sand from a year old tank so.

Tanks that borrow water sand and rock from an established tank still cycle, not enough to harm most fish but definitely aren’t stable enough for inverts, typically.

And yes unfortunately that starfish is not going to make it based on your description and photos. :(

 

[Gareth elliott]

Tanks that borrow water sand and rock from an established tank still cycle, not enough to harm most fish but definitely aren’t stable enough for inverts, typically.

And yes unfortunately that starfish is not going to make it based on your description and photos. :(

Especially a fromia sea star. Tanks under 2 years old are very unlikely to have enough bacteria film to keep these fed. even then some species in the genus have more selective diets than others and a 30 gallon had limited surface area for those that don’t.

An option you could look into are micro brittle stars in few months. Readily breed in an aquarium with their numbers limited by food availability(detritus) not their survival. Not the classic look of the fromia’s but are a great part of a clean up crew and do not pose a threat to other reef inhabitants.

 

[Annelise]

Thanks for all the advise. I thought I had this in the bag but apparently not, haha.

 

[4FordFamily]

Thanks for all the advise. I thought I had this in the bag but apparently not, haha.

We all learn the hard way sometimes, believe me I have!

 

[marlinmon]

I've had the best luck with red tile starfish

 

[jd371]

Unfortunately these don't last long. Mine was in the tank for almost a year but passed recently. I've heard the Blue Linckia starfish fare better in the home aquarium. Better yet starfish should be left in the ocean.

 

[marlinmon]

Unfortunately these don't last long. Mine was in the tank for almost a year but passed recently. I've heard the Blue Linckia starfish fare better in the home aquarium. Better yet starfish should be left in the ocean.

I was told Blue Linckia are among the most difficult to keep - this by an individual that keeps all kinds of starfish. Just another opinion. My tile starfish lasted over a year until I accidentally let my harlequin in the tank.

 

[Jonreefer]

He was doing GREAT. Got him 2 days ago and acclimated for 2 hours. He looked like this when I came home today.

if arms fell apart its dead. Probably 2hr acclimation didnt help it. My burgundy star I got like 7months ago tank was probably only 3months old at the time as well. I gave it a 15-20min acclimation of just squirting a few ML of water in a cup with it till I said ok enough and put it in the tank. It has been out of water many times to from not seeing it on the glass doing a water change and that supposed to be bad to. Recently just made the move from that tank when I migrated from the old tank to a 40B and still kicking. Probably wasnt in the best shape when you got it to begin with. I dont get these whole hours of acclimation stuff. I have never done any of that and most I have done is 20min over the years with animals like starfish, crabs, shrimps, octopus and never had any problems. Fish never get anything but a 5min float and in they go