Hi there I have recently purchased a green brittle star and i am wondering what the behaviour should be like when first introduced to the tank. Its not really moving a whole lot but is a bit, its centre disc is not smooth it is all bumpy, some limbs are cracking and comming off on the very tips, i am wondering if there is something i should be doing to aid it in the transition. I also have a linkia multiflora and have never had a problem with it nor anything else in my tank. Whats goin on?
Brittle Star
- Thread starter Eskort
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graveyardworm
Premium Member
How long did you acclimate it? What was the SG of the water it came in, and the sg of the water in your tank? Have you tried feeding it?
ok, now how do i feed it, and what should i feed it, like what would be best? And if i touch it will the limbs not come off a bit, is this harmfull to it? I have never had a problem introducing something new to the tank, did i maybe do something wrong? And my final question, how exactly will i know if it is dead? it seems to move a bit right now but it sure isnt moving much. Its my first brittle so please help.
graveyardworm
Premium Member
Give it something fishy and meaty like frozen kryll, silversides, even something uncooked from the seafood section of the supermarket.
You should be able to handle it gently without harm to limbs, if you grab one it may come off. Dont worry once its healthy it will grow back.
You havent answered to how it was acclimated, starfish generally require a longer than usual acclimation period especially if your water is not very close to the LFS water.
It will stop moving, and wont react when enticed with some food.
well i did just as i have done with all my other fish including my linkia star, i floated the bag for approximately 45 minutes to an hour, periodicly adding water to the bag. I know my water is VERY close to that of the fish place i bought it simply because i have been dealing with them since i started my saltwater journey, lol. They tested my water for me when i was first getting started and they specifically said to me that my water parameters were almost exactly the same as theirs. Now i just found something out today. The store had only had it in for a couple of days before i bought it, perhaps the 2 moves in a short amount of time was too much for him i dont know what do you think?
graveyardworm
Premium Member
Is it eating?
it did a bit last night but im sorry to say that he didnt make it through the daybut can i ask if i acclimated it long enough or should i go longer next time? in case you didnt figure it out, im farely new to the saltwater thing, i have only had my tank about 9 months or so, so im still learning these things. thanks for the help i appreciate it.
graveyardworm
Premium Member
It sounds like you skipped a step in your acclimation. I always check the SG of the water it came in and drip acclimate until the water matches my tank water this usually takes atleast a couple hours. If you're just blindly acclimating by adding some water here and there, and then after a period of time doing this you place it in you're tank then you're asking for trouble. Not to say this was the case here it very well could have been stress from shipping, but you should refine you're acclimation process for future purchases.
I have made purchases, and when I got home felt that I had to alert the LFS that their SG was way off. One time the LFS water was at 1.040. I have encountered this on several occasions, and at more than one LFS.
I have made purchases, and when I got home felt that I had to alert the LFS that their SG was way off. One time the LFS water was at 1.040. I have encountered this on several occasions, and at more than one LFS.
graveyardworm
Premium Member
You may not have done anything wrong with this particular critter, but yes you should acclimate more carefully and monitor at least SG while doing it.
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