Starfish Dying?

[TucsonSandy]

Hello all. My new (established) nano reef tank (24 Gal Aquipod) has been through the wringer - it was moved here - very slight cycle... but then had to be changed out again (Friday) because a piece of the tank broke and it needed to be replaced. On Friday we also added a chiller for nano tanks and reduced the temperature from 80-82 to 78-79.

My chemical tests are all normal today (probably because we just did a bit of a water change with the second move). The salinity is a bit low 1.021. The Calcium could be higher.

I have a small Mosaic Starfish who seems to be shedding the skin off of two legs. It looks somewhat severe - especially if it continues.

Was this a result of the starfish being touched too often (in the moves?)

The big question is CAN IT SURVIVE this?

Thank you!

*thoughts of loving kindness to all affected by Ike*

[TucsonSandy]

ps: The only other "fish" in the Aquarium right now is a Coral Beauty. I decided not to keep the fish while the tank was adjusting. I'm going to choose only a couple of fish later (waiting to see if the tank cycles a little again).

[Witfull]

starfish can be hardy. what prolly effected it was a combo of handling, temp and salinity change. starfish are very sensitive to changes in water conditions, sudden changes can cause death.

[TucsonSandy]

Is it dying? Or can it survive this?

[Witfull]

as i said. they can be hardy,,,,but shock can cause death.

[lcstorc]

Just keep an eye on it. It could go either way. Keep the water as good as possible and avoid drastic changes.

[TucsonSandy]

Thanks. It *seems* to be melting away pretty quickly.
I always had a hard time knowing this little guy was alive. He just sits in one spot for days/nights on end not moving. It's previous owner said this was normal for him.

Soooo... *if* it dies - I'm not certain I'll know it is dead. Is there a point where one just needs to remove a creature to protect the tank and keep it from suffering?

My previous tank (years ago) was a 50 gal semi-reef. I didn't have corals, but I had c.c. starfish. I do not have much starfish experience.

Thanks again.

[lcstorc]

I really don't know that kind of starfish but whenever I am afraid one of mine is gone (since they stay so still) I just gently prod them with my grabbers. They react usually pretty quickly and then I know for sure. I have a serpent star and sand sifting star.

[cheeks69]

Mosaic Starfish

Do you know which sp. it is ? Could you be referring to the Marble Starfish ?

Is there a point where one just needs to remove a creature to protect the tank and keep it from suffering?

Absolutely especially in such a small tank.

I have a small Mosaic Starfish who seems to be shedding the skin off of two legs.

It's likely a bacterial infection and depending on the sp. it's unlikely to recover particularly if it's the Fromia sp.

[TucsonSandy]

I was told it was a "Mosaic" Starfish. When I google images... it does not quite look like a Marble... but I'm not certain. The only pic I have is of it's bottom end... so that probably won't help much... I've included it in this message anyway.

Hmmm a bacterial infection? Caused by all the moving or being touched by human hands perhaps? (Too many people had hands in my tank recently - fish people... but people anyway).

Image of Starfish - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

[cheeks69]

Caused by all the moving or being touched by human hands perhaps?

No caused by changes in SG, ph or any drastic change in water chemistry.

Check this site and see if you can ID your starfish.
Plectaster decanus, mosaic sea star
Sea Star Starfish photographs

[burning2nd]

Originally Posted by TucsonSandy

My new (established)

NO SUCH thing.

[TucsonSandy]

It's gone. My fault. Very sad. I SHOULD have known what it was and what it needed instead of just listening to the person I bought the tank from. HARD LESSON. Won't happen again.

I think it was ... The Red Fromia Sea Star

INFO: (Fromia indica sp.) is one of the hardiest of the Sea Star family. They are still quite sensitive to changes in pH, temperature, and salinity changes. Fromia require a very long and slow acclimation period prior to introduction into the display aquarium.

[Witfull]

when it concerns money....trust those without economic involvement. best rule concerning any purchase,,,,

dont inpulse

dont trust the salesman

do your own research

come to an educated opinion of your own

when shopping, BS floats to the top, so its the first seen,,,,the truth is below it,,,,the thicker the BS,,,,the more the truth is buried.