Starfish death

[Chad c.]

Well I had a red knobbed starfish in my tank. He was doing great for about a month then he had bruises that looked like he was bitten. I blamed my eel at first but the way they spread seems more of an internal problem happened. Wondering if anyone can share some light to what mightve went wrong.

 

[Chad c.]

 

[Tahoe61]

The tank looks newer. Starfish often do not fare well in newer systems secondary to swings in water chemistry or nutritional deficiencies. Even in an established system I would rule out water chemistry and available food source.

 

[BoneXriffic]

Judging by the brown algae could the tank still be cycling?

 

[Chad c.]

The tank looks newer. Starfish often do not fare well in newer systems secondary to swings in water chemistry or nutritional deficiencies. Even in an established system I would rule out water chemistry and available food source.

I've had the tank up and running since October though. He was eating up the Algae all over the sand, and water tests were all good.

 

[Chad c.]

Judging by the brown algae could the tank still be cycling?

I dont think it is. The tanks had many Fish inhabitants in it over time and has had my SFE as a resident since january. Those rocks that have the browned Algae are the dead rocks I have leaching from the live rocks

 

[BoneXriffic]

How long ago did you test nitrates? I think this would affect the star even though the fish arent as sensitive to it

 

[Tahoe61]

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497+528+562&pcatid=562

Typically this Starfish is a carnivore.

 

[Chad c.]

How long ago did you test nitrates? I think this would affect the star even though the fish arent as sensitive to it

I tested nitrates right after he died to make sure the water perimeters weren't in a funk

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497+528+562&pcatid=562

Typically this Starfish is a carnivore.

He helped Eat some of the left over Feeder fish my eel got, but mainly I fed him nori

 

[Chad c.]

Bump

 

[BoneXriffic]

What kind of top off and waterchabge water do you use? And what inverts are in the tank?

 

[Chad c.]

What kind of top off and waterchabge water do you use? And what inverts are in the tank?

I usually get saltwater from the lfs to top it off. He was the only invert in the tank. His only tank mate was my SFE

 

[reef lover]

You top off with saltwater!? The salt doesn't evaporate only the water.

 

[Chad c.]

You top off with saltwater!? The salt doesn't evaporate only the water.

Yea, my salinity stays in range though, I make sure if it is too high then I use freshwater.

 

[BoneXriffic]

Thats actually unusual. You should not have to add salt water at all. I do a 20percent every 2 weeks and in the 2 weeks i got through 6 gallons of fresh and my salinity has never changed. Atleast not much. Posting water perameters might help as it seems either he starved or isnt happy with some aspect in the water...my exp with eels is they can tolerate alot more in the ways of shifting water quality than starfish can

 

[Chad c.]

Thats actually unusual. You should not have to add salt water at all. I do a 20percent every 2 weeks and in the 2 weeks i got through 6 gallons of fresh and my salinity has never changed. Atleast not much. Posting water perameters might help as it seems either he starved or isnt happy with some aspect in the water...my exp with eels is they can tolerate alot more in the ways of shifting water quality than starfish can

Yea I should be adding more Fresh water than saltwater but the levels have been within range. I add salt water on water changes and add Fresh as top offs. After reading he is a carnivore I really wasn't supplying him much in the way of his diet

Another live and learn experience I guess

 

[Tahoe61]

Always test, and check results against those posted or stated for NSW

The link below has served me well for along time. Starfish, some snails, urchins, anemones will not tolerate deviation values from NSW.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/

A Red Knobby Star is not reef safe, because it's a predator to other inverts, they need a chunk of clam or similar to do their best.

 

[negar.az]

I dint think so cuz I checked at night twice, and the problem is that i cand see him at all to know if he's ok or not..the tank is nearly 7 months..