Star fish not looking great...

[Medic3170]

Help!! He is obviously not doing well... all parameters are perfect. Temperature is 78°. I did lose one green Cromis this week but now he is looking poorly. Natural death? Or something I can fix

 

[USMC 4 LIFE]

“All parameters are perfect”...... list them please to provide adequate help/advice.

 

[Medic3170]

“All parameters are perfect”...... list them please to provide adequate help/advice.

Ph 8.2
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 2.5
Temp 78

This is the only testing ability I have.

 

[LgTas]

Unfortunately that's pretty limited testing so doesn't rule out parameters. You could have had an alk or salinity change thats affected him.

 

[Medic3170]

Unfortunately that's pretty limited testing so doesn't rule out parameters. You could have had an alk or salinity change thats affected him.

Salinity is 1.022. Never have tested alkalinity

 

[USMC 4 LIFE]

Again, you can’t say parameters are “perfect” when you’re not fully checking all of them!

Buy a text kit and check Alk, Cal, mag, nitrate, phosphate. Raise your salinity to 1.025 and do more research on what’s required to maintain these animals.

This site has plenty of information. Use it prior to making purchases.

 

[Pico bam]

Salinity is 1.022. Never have tested alkalinity

Get your salinity up to 1.025, sorry about your starfish haven't had luck with them myself.

 

[LgTas]

When you do raise your salinity (which you need to do) do it slowly. Another question is how old your system is?

Unfortunately most star fish are moderate or expert level livestock and many species can have distinct requirements that need to be met just for them to persist in an aquarium (let alone thrive).

As has been suggested above, find out what species you are considering and do some reading on what they need and how to keep them alive before making a purchase. Don't let sales people at an LFS make the decision for you. Take this as a lesson learnt for the future.

 

[CanuckReefer]

When you do raise your salinity (which you need to do) do it slowly. Another question is how old your system is?

Unfortunately most star fish are moderate or expert level livestock and many species can have distinct requirements that need to be met just for them to persist in an aquarium (let alone thrive).

As has been suggested above, find out what species you are considering and do some reading on what they need and how to keep them alive before making a purchase. Don't let sales people at an LFS make the decision for you. Take this as a lesson learnt for the future.

Ya, I'd like to know exactly how old this system is as well. Actual starfish ( not the brittles or serpents) are rather finicky imo, and demand an established tank . Every time I see a Linkia or Fromia in an LFS I say a little prayer, because I know they likely aren't going to live much longer, unless picked up by an experienced reefer with a magic touch....for the record, had 2 Sand sifters here for 3 years, now I have one, as of a month ago.

 

[LgTas]

Ya, I'd like to know exactly how old this system is as well. Actual starfish ( not the brittles or serpents) are rather finicky imo, and demand an established tank . Every time I see a Linkia or Fromia in an LFS I say a little prayer, because I know they likely aren't going to live much longer, unless picked up by an experienced reefer with a magic touch....for the record, had 2 Sand sifters here for 3 years, now I have one, as of a month ago.

That's pretty good going with the sand sifters as most perish after a few months (once the sand bed is devoid of life).

I have one sand sifter and one Fromia indica. I spot feed my sand sifter with reef roids and get a good feeding response.

 

[Medic3170]

So the tank is new, only 6 months old. This guy is fed a dried shrimp once a week and still is eating. The rest of ten time he grazes in sand and on algae on back wall. I'll increase my salinity in my next water change... thanks for the tips

 

[Medic3170]

Soooo, this tank is about 6mo old, maybe I added him to early but have never had a problem in my old tanks. After an increase in salinity to 1.024 all seams to be well. I have had these stars before and have never had an issue. Thanks for your help

 

[LgTas]

Soooo, this tank is about 6mo old, maybe I added him to early but have never had a problem in my old tanks. After an increase in salinity to 1.024 all seams to be well. I have had these stars before and have never had an issue. Thanks for your help

Glad to hear it!

 

[SquidwardTentacles05]

Help!! He is obviously not doing well... all parameters are perfect. Temperature is 78°. I did lose one green Cromis this week but now he is looking poorly. Natural death? Or something I can fix

The same thing happened to my chocolate chip starfish 3 months ago.