Red Thorny Starfish Getting White Spots

Fumbles · Apr 22, 2019

I bought this because it was displayed as “reef safe”, but quickly found out that it’s not from some searching. It almost got to my GSP before I decided to place it in the sump. A day later I noticed it had white spots on 2 of its legs towards the center. Did it get burned by my heater or is there something else going on? I had it for about 2 days before I noticed the spots and it was in the sump for less than 24 hours.

Thanks

Big G · Apr 23, 2019

Those "white spots" on starfish are not a good sign. The next few days will be crucial for its survival. If the spots increase in number or size, that's not good.

Fumbles · Apr 23, 2019

Big G said:
Those "white spots" on starfish are not a good sign. The next few days will be crucial for its survival. If the spots increase in number or size, that's not good.

Thanks for the reply. Can you give me any tips on what I can do to help? I got a good look today at the spots today and they have not grown. I tried feeding frozen mysis yesterday, but it avoided the food.

Fumbles · Apr 23, 2019

I keep my temperature between 77.5-78 and salinity at 1.025.

Steven91 · Apr 23, 2019

check your nitrates and make sure copper isnt somehow getting in your tank. has your salinity swung any? (up or down)

Fumbles · Apr 23, 2019

I definitely don’t think I have any copper going in. I never add water from fish stores and all my corals look good. RODI topoff and IO salt.

I will check my nitrates and salinity when I get home. Last I checked nitrates were 5-10ppm and salinity 1.025 but that was before the starfish.

I read that they need iodine. This is not something I test for, but all my other inverts are doing well.