My starfish looks like something has taken a big bite out of him

[Tsev03]

Hello I found my starfish this morning not doing well. It looks like a big chunk is gone. I'm not sure what I should do. Is he going to die? Should I take him out of the tank?

 

[seth16]

As long as part if the central disk is intact, by the looks of the picture it is, it should be fine, but just for precaution if you want you could put it in a seperate container with the same tank water just in case.

 

[Tsev03]

Ok thank u

 

[Bongo Shrimp]

Looks more like it is falling apart which usually happens due to starvation.

 

[Tsev03]

Looks more like it is falling apart which usually happens due to starvation.

I think I'm feeding enough. I have a 125 gal and only have 2 small damsels, 2 small chromis, 2 large clowns, a large flame angel, and a mandarin. I feed twice a day. Flakes or pellets in the morning and frozen at night. I added a 1000 pods 4 days ago.

 

[Bongo Shrimp]

I think I'm feeding enough. I have a 125 gal and only have 2 small damsels, 2 small chromis, 2 large clowns, a large flame angel, and a mandarin. I feed twice a day. Flakes or pellets in the morning and frozen at night. I added a 1000 pods 4 days ago.

Ok but are you feeding the starfish directly? I mean flake and pods are not going to help it.

How long have you had it? It can take a decent amount of time for serpent stars to show signs of starvation.

 

[Tsev03]

I have had it about 3 months. I have not been feeding it directly. I will start doing that tonight if it's still alive.

 

[Tsev03]

How much of a cube should I feed it

 

[Bongo Shrimp]

I have had it about 3 months. I have not been feeding it directly. I will start doing that tonight if it's still alive.

Ok yeah try to directly give it some frozen mysis if you can, I'd start with maybe a pinch. At the point when they start falling apart they usually go pretty fast unfortunately.

 

[Brautumn]

I have starfish for over a year and I do not hand feed them. There is plenty of food as I feed all the fish quite often for them to get.

 

[Tsev03]

Thanks for the help. I sure didn't mean to starve it [emoji45][emoji45]

 

[Bongo Shrimp]

I have starfish for over a year and I do not hand feed them. There is plenty of food as I feed all the fish quite often for them to get.

It definitely varies based on many factors as each tank is different.

 

[Bongo Shrimp]

Thanks for the help. I sure didn't mean to starve it [emoji45][emoji45]

You're welcome and I definitely don't think you meant to. Good luck with your little guy.

 

[rovster]

If it looks like a fresh "bite" it may have got caught in a propeller pump. I've had this happen twice in my tank with my mp40. I gave up on starfish for this very reason.

 

[Tsev03]

It definitely was not there the night before. He didn't make it

 

[rpate2]

I have the same problem. Down to three legs now. I think it could be my Domino Damsel taking cheap bites.....

 

[Roboson]

What kind of starfish is that?