Sea star qt?? Your thoughts

[CanuckReefer]

I have a few starfish. You can see this one with plankton on it’s armpits
I recently added a sand sifting starfish. I haven’t seen it for 2 weeks. It’s probably doing it’s job under the sand.

I had this red one for a few months. I have 2 and it hasn’t died on me yet. There’s a lot of plankton crawling around the rocks for it - as you can see in the picture.

@vetteguy53081 usually starfish drop whatever the are carrying during the bagging process. Regardless, I did mention a thorough rinsing, which includes sand particles.

Beautiful. Continued success. You are doing something right....

 

[Miami Reef]

Those are copepods not plankton. Nice color on that linkia which can be a challenge. I mentioned sand and shells as many do not know this.

Technically they are amphipods, a zooplankton.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Technically they are amphipods, a zooplankton.

Oh my lord. . . they are referred to as sea fleas and members of copepod or lawn shrimp grouping. Reason they are classified as such is Amphipods are Omnivores eating both plants and meat are a part of their diet. Plankton eat phytoplankton and bacteria. Plankton don’t eat insects, fish, or other aquatic creatures, and would not be part of such group.
Nevertheless- safe food source

 

[Miami Reef]

I didn’t know my starfish was a linkia. I honestly thought it was the orange sea star. I don’t know much about identifying starfish.

It’s

 

[CanuckReefer]

I didn’t know my starfish was a linkia. I honestly thought it was the orange sea star. I don’t know much about identifying starfish.

It’s

I have to ask how long have you had it? Notorious difficult species....if over 6 months to a year then congrats.

 

[Miami Reef]

I have to ask how long have you had it? Notorious difficult species....if over 6 months to a year then congrats.

About 3 months. Do they grow fast? I don’t think it changed much in size since purchasing. Maybe I teenie tiny bit bigger. But not by much at all.

 

[CanuckReefer]

About 3 months. Do they grow fast? I don’t think it changed much in size since purchasing. Maybe I teenie tiny bit bigger. But not by much at all.

Nope they don't grow exponentially in a reef tank. In the ocean yes. Just keeping it alive is a challenge, which you are managing.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Nope they don't grow exponentially in a reef tank. In the ocean yes. Just keeping it alive is a challenge, which you are managing.

Its a challenge yes- but what color !!!

 

[Rmckoy]

Its a challenge yes- but what color !!!

Similar to formia ?
They are a challenge to keep alive .
ive read articles stating transferring them and trying to avoid contact with air helps . I’ve tried years ago. .
No luck and refuse to buy something that has such a high mortality rate .
My last one melted away while my clownfish ate it

 

[vetteguy53081]

Similar to formia ?
They are a challenge to keep alive .
ive read articles stating transferring them and trying to avoid contact with air helps . I’ve tried years ago. .
No luck and refuse to buy something that has such a high mortality rate .
My last one melted away while my clownfish ate it

Air (similar to effect of sponge exposure) does not help. They are very intolerant of sudden changes in temperature, oxygen levels, salinity and pH of the water, and cannot tolerate copper-based medications. And youre correct-It should never be exposed to air while handling. They eat:
Detritus
Microalgea (spirulina as an example)
Small crustaceans such as Krill, mysis, brine shrimp.

 

[TheDragonsReef]

Qt everything. Pretty much 30 days in a seperate tank without for inverts is what i do

 

[nereefpat]

What kind of star?

If the invert comes from a system without fish, then I just acclimate. Otherwise, it's easy to let them sit in a fishless tank for a few weeks. Everyone has their own risk tolerances.

 

[Rmckoy]

Air (similar to effect of sponge exposure) does not help. They are very intolerant of sudden changes in temperature, oxygen levels, salinity and pH of the water, and cannot tolerate copper-based medications. And youre correct-It should never be exposed to air while handling. They eat:
Detritus
Microalgea (spirulina as an example)
Small crustaceans such as Krill, mysis, brine shrimp.

Formia , linkia are essentially the same ?
they were for sale in every lfs in the 90’s
Cheap . But never heard of any surviving long term .

 

[vetteguy53081]

Formia , linkia are essentially the same ?
they were for sale in every lfs in the 90’s
Cheap . But never heard of any surviving long term .

I owned a pet store for 14 years and always told by supplier, , , sell to a very experienced hobbyist only. . . LOL
They wre plentiful and cheap but few knew anything about them.

 

[Rmckoy]

I owned a pet store for 14 years and always told by supplier, , , sell to a very experienced hobbyist only. . . LOL
They wre plentiful and cheap but few knew anything about them.

You were the one lfs that was mindful and educated their clients .

this is why I have turned to you many times for advice .
Thanks again

 

[Rickybobby]

So it’s the orange sea star. Also interesting on humble fish saying it’s ok to rinse. So I’m theory no air and transfer from a few fresh tank water dips and pray? Also I had a blue linkia with my first tank years ago. No issue. I feed my feed salmon scallops clam and shrimp along with other things. I will also get spirulina and see how that works. Probably hand feed the little guy if I so choose to purchase. The good news is. It’s been at the lfs for a while and looks good

 

[Rickybobby]

Did humblefish procedure and more. Acclimated for hours. Lfs was 1.021 I’m 1.025-26 so did drips and added a heater to the bucket.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Those are copepods not plankton. Nice color on that linkia which can be a challenge. I mentioned sand and shells as many do not know this.

L.m.a.o.!! Copepods are one of the most common and easily recognized types of plankton!

 

[Miami Reef]

Oh my lord. . . they are referred to as sea fleas

I did want to ask you this 2 years ago: What’s a sea flea? Is it like an underwater mosquito?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Omg! It just gets better!

Reason they are classified as such is Amphipods are Omnivores eating both plants and meat are a part of their diet

You do realize there are parasitic copepods (aka PLANKTON) that feast on the flesh of marine animals, right??

Sorry to bump an old thread, but came across this and could not believe some of the stupidity!