Blue Sea Star has black stuff!

MarsWulf5 · Jan 31, 2020

Last week I purchased a blue sea star. He has been in my QT tank about a week. I feed him daily: large krill, fish pellets, and some algea wafer. I see him eat- stomach out - and I give my tanks and inverts in quarantine constant attention to make sure they are well fed, healthy, etc... Today, the blue sea star has developed black cauliflower like fleshy extrusions on the ends of two of his feet where his eye spots are. He also has the same thing at his center, on the top side. He had that spot when I got him, but now the same thing on two of the eye spots. I know starfish are weird but has anybody seen this or know what it might be. It's part of the starfish - not something attached. Any ideas?

Ron Reefman · Jan 31, 2020

I've never seen this myself, sorry.
But let me try and get you some help, #reefsquad

Retro Reefer · Jan 31, 2020

Sorry about your starfish.. I can’t tell anything with the pictures that where provided but its my experience that those things are almost impossible to keep. They will basically disintegrate and this may be what is happening.

steallife904 · Jan 31, 2020

he is starting to disintegrate. I have seen it more than once and why I will never do stars again. I kept a fromia for about a year once but in the ned same result. These just are not meant to be in a tank, very hard to keep up with there diet and parameters in the water it requires.

MarsWulf5 · Jan 31, 2020

Aw. I'm gonna do a partial water change and see if that helps. I was so happy that he even acclimated - took about 2.5 hours. I'm keeping an eye on him. He's not moving around the tank though, been parked since last night. No further change so far, I remain hopeful that he's gonna make it. I added some two part to the water and that seems to have helped a little bit. Gonna do the water change and dose a again and see if that helps. The pH is fine... But I know these guys are sensitive to subtle changes in pH and salinity. I think that the two chemical tests I have are not all that accurate. I'm really wanting to buy the Hanna Checkers to get a decimal reading on my parameters. The API test kit and the test strips don't seem to fit the bill when it comes to this type of sensitivity. I was really hopeful when I brought this guy home. I'm not giving up on him yet.

steallife904 · Jan 31, 2020

him not moving im afraid is another warning sign. I really hope im wrong I have just done this a few times before. Through research as well I have heard its not even 100% sure what there exact diet is what is needed to keep them happy. I can also say I have heard of them loosing a leg and recovering and surviving so we will see

MarsWulf5 · Jan 31, 2020

He didn't make it. I tried my best for him. He was gone when I went to do the water change. I removed him from the tank : (
Did a 75% water change and dosed the tank.

I read about how difficult these were but thought I had it good when I got him acclimated and I though he was surviving well enough. I won't be getting another, I feel bad for him. If they are this difficult to keep, as apparently they are, they are best left at home in the sea.

Thanks for all the input and advice.

biophilia · Jan 31, 2020

Linckia have unknown dietary needs and don’t often thrive except in very large, established tanks. That being said, I’ve seen some reports of them living 4-5 years with regular feedings of Masstick. They’ve also been seen to feed on asterina stars — as well as biofilm.

May not be an option for you, but I’ve seen the black tips/melting stopped by daily baths in saltwater with a broad spectrum antibiotic added...