Starfish QT

[pseudorand]

In researching starfish, lots of places say they need a mature aquarium to get enough food. But many on R2R say to QT everything. My QT tank isn't, almost by definition, "mature".

How should I QT starfish? Will they do fine if I just throw some mysis in for them every day?

 

[PBnJOnWheat]

In researching starfish, lots of places say they need a mature aquarium to get enough food. But many on R2R say to QT everything. My QT tank isn't, almost by definition, "mature".

How should I QT starfish? Will they do fine if I just throw some mysis in for them every day?

I’m not a starfish expert, however I just recently this past 2 weeks bought a red starfish and so far it hides and eats and has been okay. I didn’t QT, just threw him in there. I think QT is mainly for pests and to get fish to start eating and such. Really just what you feel is better. You could QT and spot feed him or throw him in and feed him in there or see how he does.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

What kind of starfish?

 

[Uncle99]

QT and looking for what?
With the exception of brittle stars, traditional starfish just die slowly.
That includes the famous sand sifter star, the grey one.
Not sure why LFS sell these things, with the exception of profit.

 

[kput]

From HumbleFish's posts on here, it states that Starfish (and urchins) do not need to be QT'd as they cannot host Ich, velvet, etc.
I did a quick rinse in clean saltwater, and tossed mine in (after acclimating of course).

 

[JGT]

In researching starfish, lots of places say they need a mature aquarium to get enough food. But many on R2R say to QT everything. My QT tank isn't, almost by definition, "mature".

How should I QT starfish? Will they do fine if I just throw some mysis in for them every day?

Don’t think you need to QT. Just slowly acclimate very slowly to your DT before putting in. They are very touchy about temp and salinity so make sure the container they are in is slowly brought in line with your DT water.

 

[pseudorand]

What kind of starfish?

I love starfish, so any kind, but only the kinds that are both reef safe and have a fighting chance of survival. There seems to be disagreement on if there is such a beast.

Serpent and brittle seem to be the safest choices.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

I love starfish, so any kind, but only the kinds that are both reef safe and have a fighting chance of survival. There seems to be disagreement on if there is such a beast.

Serpent and brittle seem to be the safest choices.

I don't qt so take this how you will but pest can come in on starfish. Ich for instance won't bother a starfish but it can hitchhike in on one so I recommend a short qt (if your into qt).

Ya brittle (except the green ones) and serpent stars are the way to go. They come in many different colors so don't settle on the first one you see! I've got 4 of them and one is probably 16" or so (I've had him for 8 yrs). Oh and make sure you feed it occasionally!

 

[daybreaksky]

I don't qt so take this how you will but pest can come in on starfish. Ich for instance won't bother a starfish but it can hitchhike in on one so I recommend a short qt (if your into qt).

Ya brittle (except the green ones) and serpent stars are the way to go. They come in many different colors so don't settle on the first one you see! I've got 4 of them and one is probably 16" or so (I've had him for 8 yrs). Oh and make sure you feed it occasionally!

Ick and velvet physically can not attach to starfish and cucumbers. they can't become cysts like they can on hard surface or even corals etc. there is a sticky in fish disease forum.

 

[SMSREEF]

In researching starfish, lots of places say they need a mature aquarium to get enough food. But many on R2R say to QT everything. My QT tank isn't, almost by definition, "mature".

How should I QT starfish? Will they do fine if I just throw some mysis in for them every day?

I follow @Humblefish guidelines.
Starfish and urchins just need rinsed.

Coral/Invert Quarantine Time Frames

Coral/Invert Quarantine Time Frames Preface: The purpose of this article is to outline time periods required to properly quarantine (QT) marine corals & invertebrates. While unable to host ectoparasites the way fish do, corals/inverts are still able to “carry” fish diseases in one of two ways...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Ick and velvet physically can not attach to starfish and cucumbers. they can't become cysts like they can on hard surface or even corals etc. there is a sticky in fish disease forum.

I didn't say they can become cysts, just that they can come with the starfish

I follow @Humblefish guidelines.
Starfish and urchins just need rinsed.

Coral/Invert Quarantine Time Frames

Coral/Invert Quarantine Time Frames Preface: The purpose of this article is to outline time periods required to properly quarantine (QT) marine corals & invertebrates. While unable to host ectoparasites the way fish do, corals/inverts are still able to “carry” fish diseases in one of two ways...

www.reef2reef.com

Interesting, sounds like a rinse will do it!

 

[Lionfish hunter]

QT and looking for what?
With the exception of brittle stars, traditional starfish just die slowly.
That includes the famous sand sifter star, the grey one.
Not sure why LFS sell these things, with the exception of profit.

I have to tell you that you are indeed wrong. I have had a sand sifting starfish for a year now. his legs have grown insanely fat in this timeframe. Clearly not slowly dying. I have a 235 gallon tank, but they 100% can thrive.

 

[Rmckoy]

Formia stars are known as one species that are very popular but will die .

there was something years ago about acclimating them not letting them be exposed to air .
@vetteguy53081 was part of a thread awhile ago and had great information on them .
which to avoid and proper care .

red , blue are almost impossible to keep .
but brittle , serpent stars are all easy . And great scavengers

 

[vetteguy53081]

Linkia very difficult species

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

QT and looking for what?
With the exception of brittle stars, traditional starfish just die slowly.
That includes the famous sand sifter star, the grey one.
Not sure why LFS sell these things, with the exception of profit.

Had this guy for almost 2 years still going strong

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

Had this guy for almost 2 years still going strong

No QT. Just acclimation temp / salinity

 

[SMSREEF]

I have to tell you that you are indeed wrong. I have had a sand sifting starfish for a year now. his legs have grown insanely fat in this timeframe. Clearly not slowly dying. I have a 235 gallon tank, but they 100% can thrive.

Agreed. My sand sifter is 2 years old in a 60 gallon. But I do feed heavily and some always makes it’s way to the sand.

I think there are a bunch of old reefing tales that just get repeated over and over and are assumed to be fact.

 

[timry2]

From HumbleFish's posts on here, it states that Starfish (and urchins) do not need to be QT'd as they cannot host Ich, velvet, etc.
I did a quick rinse in clean saltwater, and tossed mine in (after acclimating of course).

Be careful with urchins. If they are holding a piece of shell that has a pest on it then you can potentially introduce a pest into your tank. I have learned from experience. Urchins i like to qt for a couple of days to give them a chance to drop items they may be holding on to.