Fromia question

[sfarid123]

Hey guys,

I have had a orange Fromia star for the past 6 months in my 55g mixed reef. I have been constantly struggling to keep it from melting away by dipping it in a Iodine bath. I am curious to what causes the tissue necrosis and how can I put a stop to this.
Can a shift in salinity be the cause? I tent to loose 5g /week which I top off with RO/DI (I'm not using a doser ).

thanks

 

[amutti]

How much to you top off at a time? Anything more than a few cups and hour could shock the more delicate species. What is your salinity before you top off and after?

 

[sfarid123]

My salinity get to 1.028 before I top off; I usually add a gallon or two at a time. My corals and BTA seem not to mind the change. Do you suppose dosing would solve the problem?

 

[greenbean36191]

Necrosis is usually a sign of one of two problems. Osmotic shock is one, and the other starvation. It sounds like either one is equally likely. You can try to keep your salinity changes more gradual, but in the end the little guy isn't likely to find enough food to do well in a 55.

 

[chrisstie]

I would only let my SG get to 1.026 or so before topping off, you dont want to drop it down so fast where it should be (say 1.024\5) all at once. That fluctuation could be disturbing it.

How old is your 55g reef itself? I have a small fromia (elegans?) doing well and not getting mushy but I added it roughly when my tank was nearly a year old.

I would also cut back on the iodine baths personally. If you're concerned about it, don't dose before you test. Too much iodine in a tank can be lethal for your livestock. I'm not sure if what you're doing is hurting more than helping.

Have a friend with a more mature tank? You may be able to keep it from starving by temporarily relocating it if your tank is new.

Otherwise not really sure what to suggest

 

[sfarid123]

Thanks for all the good feedbacks,

I looked it up and I believe mine is a milleporella. They are prone to infections when specific gravity or salinity shifts.

 

[amutti]

My salinity get to 1.028 before I top off; I usually add a gallon or two at a time. My corals and BTA seem not to mind the change. Do you suppose dosing would solve the problem?

Sea stars are way more sensitive to salinity shifts then most (almost all) coral. Top off more often with less water. That is really the only thing you have control over from what I can tell.

Good luck.