Sea star question

[andyg1960]

Today I added 1 sea star to my 120 gallon reef aquarium. He did not move for a few hours but looks in perfect condition. I went out for a couple of hours and when I came back I noticed he was now climbing up one of the rocks which I thought was a great sign. When I looked more closely it looks like something took a small bite out of the end of one of his legs. There's a dwarf angel and a couple of tangs. I'm guessing it was the angel. I don't know much about the sea stars, are they commonly picked on by angel fish? Do you small ones like this heal, or they're likely to be a lot more?

 

[andyg1960]

i know we have #reefsquad, do we also have #seastarsquad ?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Starfish are pretty bulletproof when it comes to injury. Cut off a leg and you have two! itll heal

 

[andyg1960]

Starfish are pretty bulletproof when it comes to injury. Cut off a leg and you have two! itll heal

Yeah, thanks. my daughter and her husband are both Marine biologists, and I asked them and they pretty much said it'll heal, but I feel bad if he's going to get picked on and it's going to keep happening I'll have to figure out what to do. I don't want to relegate him to the sump because he so cool looking.

 

[rkpetersen]

Given the appearance and circumstances, that is most likely not injury from attack. Fromia stars and especially tile fromia sea stars are incredibly sensitive to changes in water condition. When they come into a new tank, it's not uncommon for one or more legs to partially or completely disintegrate, starting at the tip; sometimes the entire animal can just disintegrate this way. I've had several go this way despite acclimating for hours. However, if the disintegration stops on its own, the animal can go on to do quite well and even regenerate the lost tissue, assuming an adequate food supply which may or may not be a good assumption.

 

[andyg1960]

Given the appearance and circumstances, that is most likely not injury from attack. Fromia stars and especially tile fromia sea stars are incredibly sensitive to changes in water condition. When they come into a new tank, it's not uncommon for one or more legs to partially or completely disintegrate, starting at the tip; sometimes the entire animal can just disintegrate this way. I've had several go this way despite acclimating for hours. However, if the disintegration stops on its own, the animal can go on to do quite well and even regenerate the lost tissue, assuming an adequate food supply which may or may not be a good assumption.

Thanks for your info and expertise. I assumed it was an injury but i guess i was wrong. Hopefully, he will do well and not succumb to further illness

 

[Jeff Hall]

Starfish are pretty bulletproof when it comes to injury. Cut off a leg and you have two! itll heal

I have found the exact opposite to be true. Many starfish are extremely sensitive and some are nearly impossible to keep. This particular species (Fromia or Tile starfish) are somewhere in the middle. Not impossible but need a super stable water parameters and a long acclimation. The injured arm of the starfish is likely caused by stress and not an attack by another tank mate. I would watch it closely, unfortunately I have known a few people who have had this exact samething happen and the starfish just slowly dissinegrates.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I have found the exact opposite to be true. Many starfish are extremely sensitive and some are nearly impossible to keep. This particular species (Fromia or Tile starfish) are somewhere in the middle. Not impossible but need a super stable water parameters and a long acclimation. The injured arm of the starfish is likely caused by stress and not an attack by another tank mate. I would watch it closely, unfortunately I have known a few people who have had this exact samething happen and the starfish just slowly dissinegrates.

I meant as far as injuries. No argument that they're super sensitive to water quality and parameters.

 

[Kamden Uelton]

Simple injury but without a food source, it will not be able to heal... Try feeding a variety of seafood I have found my Phataria Star likes Squid and Krill