Fromia Starfish... What the hell happened?!?

[CuzzA]

So this morning all of my Fromia starfish were fine and intact. Tonight I look and this ones arm tip is completely severed. There was no signs of an infection or disease. The tip is cut clean off.

The only thing I've changed to my tank was I started dosing Vodka. I'm at my second week and only at 1.1 ml. I can't imagine that is the issue...

Unless he's drunk and got his arm stuck in a power head? I find this unlikely as my power heads never turn off to allow anything to get inside. But I guess it's possible.

The next possible culprit is a fish. I highly doubt a crustacean as I only have small hermits. The likely candidates would be my Melanaurus Wrasse or a Tang (None of the tangs are over 4 inches. Yellow, Regal, Sailfin).

So who dunnit? Power head with an impeller on the glass or a Wrasse with his teeth on a rock or Vodka as poison in the water? Or is there something this newer reefer doesn't know. Do Starfish just drop the tips of their arms if they're not healthy?

Looking for some answers. I hope he doesn't get a secondary infection and will just grow it back. :/

 

[jahel318]

If you're doing the correct dosing on the vodka i highly doubt this would be the cause. I did vodka dosing often and had a sand sifting star and red star. Non of my inhabitants ever had any issues.

 

[sirrealism]

How long have you had it? My Fromia has done well for just under a year. I have not done much research about these. These dont seem to have the issue of starving to death like others but maybe someone else knows more then me about them. Do you feed him directly?

 

[Reefpilot11]

I just started dosing vodka and I have an orange linkia and sand softer with no ill effects. Have you noticed any positive with the doing yet?

 

[CuzzA]

If you're doing the correct dosing on the vodka i highly doubt this would be the cause. I did vodka dosing often and had a sand sifting star and red star. Non of my inhabitants ever had any issues.

I doubt it's the Vodka. I've probably perspired more alcohol into the tank than what I'm dosing right now. Lol.

How long have you had it? My Fromia has done well for just under a year. I have not done much research about these. These dont seem to have the issue of starving to death like others but maybe someone else knows more then me about them. Do you feed him directly?

I've had him about 8 months. Yes, my understanding was they adapt much better to tank life than say a Linckia. Not much has changed in my tanks appearance, equipment, feeding, etc. Just the vodka. And I'm only dosing to try and bring my nitrates down. The lowest I can get them with my heavily stocked tank is 5-10. There's no nuisance algae, just trying to increase coral growth and coloration. I do not feed him directly. But I would have to believe that it's not from starvation otherwise he would have checked out a long time ago.

I just started dosing vodka and I have an orange linkia and sand softer with no ill effects. Have you noticed any positive with the doing yet?

The only difference I've noticed so far is a slightly darker hue to skimmate. If I had to guess, I'm thinking I won't see a drop in nitrates until I get to 4 or 5 mls. We'll see.

I'm still baffled as to what happened to his arm.

 

[CuzzA]

So today more of his arm appears to be missing and he hasn't moved much. It could be from scavengers. My plan is to qt him and try to get him to eat as much as possible.

This is not your typical case of melting away, which has now been determined that it's caused by a virus.

After more research, I've read that if a starfish is starving they will drop portions of their arms to reduce the amount of energy needed to maintain the whole body. Perhaps the lack of algae in my tank has created the issue. I've also read they eat Asterina stars which I haven't seen one in my tank in a long time. This could explain the starvation. Nevertheless, I will offer a variety of food to him, Asterinas, Algae Waffers, Meats, etc. and see what he goes for. I'll document what he eats and share here. I'm surprised there is not more information about what these guys eat.

I also was unable to find any information on what their life expectancy is. Perhaps they don't live very long and my efforts will be futile. This is another possibility.

 

[take2]

Hope u can find a solution.

 

[sirrealism]

Yes please post your findings. Since i have one also i would like to know anything I can. I agree these adapt to tank life much better then Linckia and are reef safe. Not sure why there is not more about them on the net. But to anyone who wants a starfish IMO these are the best ones. My parameters are not perfect in the tank he is in and i do get just a bit of hair algae in it. This might be why mine is doing so well. I think your on the right track!

 

[IrishTang]

Following along, my guy wants to know more.