Linckia Starfish not doing well

[Bedrocker]

A couple weeks ago, I got a starfish with gift certificate money. It's condition has slowly been declining to the point now that 3 of the limbs have fallen off. I noticed last night that what looked to be a shell-less snail near the starfish, and a portion of the starfish looked to be disintegrating. Parameters (nitrates, pH, temp, sg) don't seem to be out of the norm. I haven't gotten many chances to dose phytoplankton, so maybe that's the reason for the decline....but am wondering what I can do at this point. When it was first introduced to my 75 reef, it wandered all over rock and glass until it settled on the upper part of the tank away from the light (6x54 T5).

1. Is nutrition the most likely cause for decline in condition?
2. Can the starfish still be saved after losing so many limbs?
3. Are the limbs salvagable, or should they be removed?
4. What other nutrition besides phytoplankton should they get and how often?

Thanks.

 

[Dan Thrash]

unfortunately linkia starfish do not usually do well in aquariums. they are beautiful but often disintegrate. i dont know if anyone really knows why. i'm afraid there is probably nothing you can do at this point.

 

[Kreeger1]

pull it out before it fouls your tank.
Blue linkias don't do well for most people
knowone really knows what they eat either. And they need extreme care introducing them to your tank too.
Erik

 

[jgoodrich71]

Probably nothing you did wrong (other than purchase it) or problem with water qualilty. These starfish are notorious for not making it. They require careful acclimation, and just do not do very well in general. I have never seen or heard of anyone getting one to recover. Its just best to leave them in the ocean.

 

[thehedge]

Are the decaying areas turning black. There is a Linckia fungus that does that...also there is a SHELLED snail that grows on teh Linckia and slowly eats away at its legs. In either case, you will have to cut off the infected leg.

However, in the case where 3 legs gets removed and the rest of the body starting to "disintegrate", there is not much you can do.

 

[Bedrocker]

WOW. What a quick and consistent response from so many...thanks to all that responded. My tank has been doing pretty well, and it's good to know that it may not have been something I did. I guess I should've listened to my gut more than my wife who was with me....or maybe the urchin would've been a better addition. Anyhow, thanks all... starfish is gone.

Also, decaying areas are not turning black. Seems more from malnutrition, getting skinier, and then the legs pinch off.

 

[bertoni]

It's starving to death, almost certainly.

 

[DrBDC]

Even if it's not starving now, it will over the next year or so. Leave them in the ocean.

 

[Kreeger1]

It really is hit or miss with these guys.mostlikely miss though. I personally think they don't due well do to improper handling. Maybe by us or maybe by the collectors. I personally have had one over a year and a half now and its growing good.
Theres always exceptions to the rules though
Erik

 

[DrBDC]

Ask around at how long people keep them. Longest I've heard is 2 years. Has a human teenager that dies of malnutrition lived a good healthy life? Pretty much everything in our tanks that doesn't last 10-15 years (or more) is a failure.

 

[Kreeger1]

yep agreed
But when you see things almost double in size you know thats not malnutrition!

Erik

 

[PatMayo]

Another perfect example why thorough research should be done before buying livestock that is not meant for captivity. It would also slow the market for LFS trafficking in these types of livestock. If they don't have buyers they will not take these critters from the ocean.

It's a tough lesson to learn. (Though tougher on the starfish)

Regards,

Pat

 

[craftytony]

dang, i've only had mine for a day and now you guys freaked me out!