Who has dried out their starfish?

AydenLincoln · Sep 21, 2023

Currently in the process of drying Cookie out. I put him in some alcohol and I’m going to let him soak then stick him in the sun and spray with sealant. I hope I don’t stink up my entire house. I know it may be weird but I know I’m not the first or last person to do it. Who has dried out their starfish before? Experiences?

mike550 · Sep 21, 2023

AydenLincoln said:
Currently in the process of drying Cookie out. I put him in some alcohol and I’m going to let him soak then stick him in the sun and spray with sealant. I hope I don’t stink up my entire house. I know it may be weird but I know I’m not the first or last person to do it. Who has dried out their starfish before? Experiences?

Why are you doing this?

OrchidMiss · Sep 21, 2023

AydenLincoln said:
Currently in the process of drying Cookie out. I put him in some alcohol and I’m going to let him soak then stick him in the sun and spray with sealant. I hope I don’t stink up my entire house. I know it may be weird but I know I’m not the first or last person to do it. Who has dried out their starfish before? Experiences?

I did this with my red linckia starfish after he passed. I had him for a little over a year. I just let Patrick dry on a shelf (actually, I sort of forgot about him for a while). Now he lives in the glass jar I keep filled with nori to put into clips.

AydenLincoln · Sep 21, 2023

mike550 said:
Why are you doing this?

Because he died! And I think it’s better than flushing him!

OrchidMiss · Sep 21, 2023

I've toyed with the idea of preserving and protecting him in epoxy resin.
I may turn him into a piece of art.
Let me know how it goes with soaking in alcohol? I hadn't thought about that.

AydenLincoln · Sep 21, 2023

OrchidMiss said:
I did this with my red linckia starfish after he passed. I had him for a little over a year. I just let Patrick dry on a shelf (actually, I sort of forgot about him for a while). Now he lives in the glass jar I keep filled with nori to put into clips.

Can I see a photo?

OrchidMiss · Sep 21, 2023

AydenLincoln said:
Can I see a photo?

As soon as I get home, I'll take one and share with you.

AydenLincoln · Sep 21, 2023

OrchidMiss said:
I've toyed with the idea of preserving and protecting him in epoxy resin.
I may turn him into a piece of art.
Let me know how it goes with soaking in alcohol? I hadn't thought about that.

From all my research that’s how you dry them and kill off any bacteria or smells. I’m sure you could put him in resin to and he may keep his color if it is one that had just died.

AydenLincoln · Sep 21, 2023

OrchidMiss said:
As soon as I get home, I'll take one and share with you.

Thank you!

fish farmer · Sep 21, 2023

I see smaller one for sale at beach shops that still have their innards, all dried up. Bigger ones usually have their bottom side carved out.

I have a sizable sand dollar, about hand sized which was live for a while. I dried it in the sun, no smell at all.

OrchidMiss · Sep 22, 2023

fish farmer · Sep 22, 2023

OrchidMiss said:

Seeing it with the nori makes me think street food in South East Asia. Needs to be on a stick...

melany1000 · Oct 18, 2023

OrchidMiss said:
I did this with my red linckia starfish after he passed. I had him for a little over a year. I just let Patrick dry on a shelf (actually, I sort of forgot about him for a while). Now he lives in the glass jar I keep filled with nori to put into clips.

What do you mean by "put into clips"?

My chocolate chip is in the process of passing and preserving him had crossed my mind, but I think I'll give him a burial at sea next time I visit the beach. I'm really sad today.

Dburr1014 · Oct 18, 2023

My cuc always dealt with them before I had a chance to pull it out.

OrchidMiss · Oct 18, 2023

melany1000 said:
What do you mean by "put into clips"?

My chocolate chip is in the process of passing and preserving him had crossed my mind, but I think I'll give him a burial at sea next time I visit the beach. I'm really sad today.

When I feed nori, I use these pouches. My favorite "clip" I've used, as none of my aggressive fish can rip it and it doesn't make a huge mess in the tank.

carly32 · Apr 20, 2024

AydenLincoln said:
Currently in the process of drying Cookie out. I put him in some alcohol and I’m going to let him soak then stick him in the sun and spray with sealant. I hope I don’t stink up my entire house. I know it may be weird but I know I’m not the first or last person to do it. Who has dried out their starfish before? Experiences?

I’m currently drying mine out now!!! Just YouTube how to’s I also found 4 whole sand dollars and a ton of half sand dollars I also found some pretty cool shells so I’m gonna make a beach shadow box of my little beach treasures I found while on vacation!!