Calling All Fromia Starfish Owners

[livinlifeinBKK]

Hey guys just wanted to see if anyone has been able to keep a Fromia Starfish long-term since that's what I'm trying to do at the moment. I set mine on top of an oyster today and he definitely seemed to be eating it for at least a few hours while he was on it so I was curious about others' experiences with these guys. I do have a backup plan to feed him since I know they're notoriously difficult but before I go through all that I just wanted to know if anyone out there can give a few tips!

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

He looks pretty darn healthy!!

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Guess it's just me and him!!

 

[Chortanator]

I had a fromia starfish for a while when I first started my tank, but of course they like established aquariums more and don't really do well in new tanks. I think that as long as you have good biodiversity in your microfauna and algae, you should be fine along with supplemental feedings. I noticed my fromia wasn't doing well when it started to melt in my tank, it was gradually losing limbs. I think that's the biggest thing you should watch out for, since fromia and linckia are notorious for melting.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I had a fromia starfish for a while when I first started my tank, but of course they like established aquariums more and don't really do well in new tanks. I think that as long as you have good biodiversity in your microfauna and algae, you should be fine along with supplemental feedings. I noticed my fromia wasn't doing well when it started to melt in my tank, it was gradually losing limbs. I think that's the biggest thing you should watch out for, since fromia and linckia are notorious for melting.

How long did you have him for??

 

[Chortanator]

How long did you have him for??

I had to check back in my build thread just to make sure - based on the pictures, I bought him mid-late October 2019 (only a month or so after my tank was fully cycled - big mistake) and it doesn't look like he even made it to March 2020.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I had to check back in my build thread just to make sure - based on the pictures, I bought him mid-late October 2019 (only a month or so after my tank was fully cycled - big mistake) and it doesn't look like he even made it to March 2020.

That's about how long I've had mine for so far but I think I have the use of all live ocean rock on my side...plus I got a special plan on the works just for him...feel free to check out my thread before this to see what I'm talking about! In the meantime, he had a feast of oyster tonight...

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I had to check back in my build thread just to make sure - based on the pictures, I bought him mid-late October 2019 (only a month or so after my tank was fully cycled - big mistake) and it doesn't look like he even made it to March 2020.

Did you feed him at all? (Directly)

 

[Chortanator]

Did you feed him at all? (Directly)

I don't think so, he was eating algae off the glass so I thought he was happy as he was - but of course, if I had a fromia now I'd probably feed salmon, just like I feed my brittle stars.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I don't think so, he was eating algae off the glass so I thought he was happy as he was - but of course, if I had a fromia now I'd probably feed salmon, just like I feed my brittle stars.

Experience is a hard teacher haha...Fromias are harder than brittle stars from my understanding (technically we're not even sure what their natural food is...biofilm is most likely) I'm currently trying to establish a healthy bacterial biofilm to provide mine with as natural diet as possible