Starfish questions!

[CLR48]

I just got a blue linkia starfish from the lfs yesterday and when I looked at it this mornin it was on a rock all folded over.. wgats wrong?

 

[CLR48]

Herez a picture

 

[CLR48]

Is there anything I can do to help it?

 

[Mike J.]

Not sure if it needs help. They twist all up in many different poses.

 

[CLR48]

I guess hes moved some but still looks all droopy

 

[Mike J.]

You'll know soon enough if there's something wrong with it. They deteriorate very rapidly.

 

[CLR48]

Okay but theres nothing I can do to help him?

 

[FishLipz]

Not really. They are very delicate and most don't survive. Hold out hope that it pulls through.

 

[CLR48]

Ive been reading and it says that if they can get established in the tank there are pretty hardy. But what makes them so "delicate" is that they dont ship very well and dont acclimate well either.

 

[Mike J.]

They are pretty hardy in a larger mature tank. I'd say 75 gallons per Lynkia. Another thing that do them in is being exposed to air. And, I recommend an extended acclimation, 2 - 3 hours.

 

[CLR48]

Now he has moved under a rock since the lights came on. Is that a good sign? Heres a picture.

 

[CLR48]

And hes in a 150

 

[Mike J.]

It will cover every millimeter in the tank. Since it's moving is a very good sign.

 

[CLR48]

He moved to that spot when the lights came on but he hasn't moved since then..

 

[Mike J.]

Sometimes they will sit in the same spot and not move a muscle for a whole day. Usually if they stop moving it means it's full or it found something to eat. Give it a few days to get established.

 

[CLR48]

This is what he looks like now..

 

[Mike J.]

That photo doesn't look good at all.

 

[CLR48]

Yeah hes dead hes all disintegrating

 

[Eienna]

For next time, if there is one:

1. Blue Linckia stars have a low survival rate.

2. NEVER expose them to air if you can help it.

3. They require a very large, very well-established tank. They pretty much consume only bacterial film, and almost never take to supplemental feeding. This film only builds to a sustainable level after the tank has been established for some time.

4. They require long, slow drip acclimations. Around 6 hours has been suggested.

5. They move around mostly at night.