Starfish dying

[Calenzani]

hi everyone,

I’m new here in the reef community and I have a question about my starfish. A couple weeks ago my starfish lost two legs and today cut itself half. It’s that normal?

 

[stAlphonzo]

I have heard of starfish separating which I believe is a form of asexual reproduction, but that one looks like it was attacked. What else is in the tank with it?

The can regenerate limbs provided the central region is intact but it's hard to tell from that picture if it is still.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

No. Sorry.

Sadly many of these species sold commonly don’t do well in our tanks. If they do , it’s very often in a mature established tank.

 

[stAlphonzo]

p.s. Welcome to R2R ... sorry, should have led with that

 

[SamiBlue]

It might be but there is a possibility that it is a disease called "starfish wasting syndrome", especially if it's wild caught. As far as I know the cause is unknown and you should quarantine it if you have any other starfish because it appears contagious. On the bright side though if the pieces are big enough they could regenerate into baby starfish.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fromia_indica

 

[themcnertney]

Been in this hobby for almost 15 years. Never was able to keep a star longer then a year. Better off left where they come from IMO.

 

[Calenzani]

Thank you guys for the quick answers! I really appreciated. Here it’s a couple picture of the star fish. Stalphonzo I have four clown fish and blue tang two other fish I don’t remember but I don’t see them attacking it. Oh I have a sand shifter starfish and that one still alive and I see it eating too

Starfish is still moving that is amazing

 

[Reefinmike]

Very common. Starfish rarely do well unless you have a very mature(5+ years) thriving reef. Chalk it up to a lesson learned, dont buy another and hope this thread convinces others to do the same.

 

[Gareth elliott]

Sorry to hear about the starfish

The diet of that particular species is varied but they eat A LOT. From rock bio film, collecting particles from the water with their tube feet, to certain species of sponges. But are almost always eating and can quickly deplete an aquarium if available food.

They are also very susceptible to acclimation dangers.

 

[Calenzani]

Very common. Starfish rarely do well unless you have a very mature(5+ years) thriving reef. Chalk it up to a lesson learned, dont buy another and hope this thread convinces others to do the same.

I totally agree with you.

 

[MSB123]

What tank size do you have?
How long has it been running?
Stocking?
Water parameters?
How often do you do water changes?
Was the starfish exposed to air?
I have successfully kept starfish in my tank for a while now. They are pretty hardy if you can get the parameters rights and you don’t have fish that pick at them.

 

[Calenzani]

What tank size do you have? 40 gallons
How long has it been running? 5 months
Stocking? Four clown fish and one blue tang
Water parameters? I don’t know I’m saving to buy a kit to test the water.
How often do you do water changes? Once a month I do 25% water change
Was the starfish exposed to air? Yes but for only 5 seconds to take it out of the bag
I have a sand shifting starfish that is fine for the last 5 months.

 

[MSB123]

?

 

[Calenzani]

?

Anything wrong?

 

[MSB123]

Oh lol- you replied direct in the quote I see it now

 

[MSB123]

#reefsquad
Maybe the clowns are taking out their aggression? Or the blue tang because of the size of tank? Don’t really know Parmaters, but maybe a PH issue? Could also be that it was exposed to air.

 

[DSC reef]

#reefsquad
Maybe the clowns are taking out their aggression? Or the blue tang because of the size of tank? Don’t really know Parmaters, but maybe a PH issue? Could also be that it was exposed to air.

Most starfish just don't do well in tanks. Exposure to air will not kill a starfish.

 

[MSB123]

Hmm. Wonder why mine has done so well?

 

[DSC reef]

We kept a blue linkia for over 3 years before it melted. I wouldn't recommend owning one though.