Star Fish: What kind is it, what's wrong with it??

[tzylak]

A month ago I got a starfish.
Bright pink perimeter and a bit darker pink body. The LFS called it "Australian Double Star" but I don't think that's its right name. Anyone familiar with this one??
Also, it started losing its arms. At first I thought that the bully of a clown was getting at it. Now I think that it's something else that's causing the deterioration. I do 5% weekly WC and the parameters are really good. Anyone??
Thanks!

Hmm, I wonder if the pics carry thru . . .

 

[tzylak]

Another try:
http://s1006.photobucket.com/user/tzylak/library/?view=recent&page=1

 

[Sk8r]

By 'really good' you mean?
What's your alkalinity? SHould be 8.3.

 

[Reeferz412]

It looks like an aussie double star judging by the underside and shape. Starfish in general are sensitive to any changes in params. Are you sure everything is "good?" Can you please share your params?

 

[GimpyFin]

+1, Definitely an Aussie double sea star. I'd first be suspicious of water quality or sudden parameter changes if the arms are falling off like that.

 

[tzylak]

Water specs. pH 7.9-8.1, NH3 0, NO2 0, NO3 0-1, PO4 0, Ca 360-400, Alk 5-6, 77-79F, Mg 1340-1420 sg 1.025-27

 

[SFish]

Your PO4 is only 0 because the algae is using it up.

 

[gallegos]

Alk too low and pH to low. Work on alk and your ph will follow

 

[tzylak]

I started working on the alk thing. Before any further action took place the star was GONE!! Well, at least my CUC is fed! . . .

 

[CStrickland]

How are you measuring alk?
If your alk is 5-6 meq/l it's high, and you cause problems from tweaking it; if 5-6 dkh, it's low. Your star probably died because they are for expert reefers and usually do.

 

[tzylak]

Yeah, I hear you. The devil is in the details and units are paramount.
I measure alk in dkh and it always was on the low side.
I was always hesitant in getting stars due to my short reef experience but my dear wife got enamored with the creature. With that, I was hoping that the tank was 'good enough'.
I'll have to shape up the tank's chemical profile before attempting another star.
Thanks,
Tom

 

[CStrickland]

Same here
I got 2 and one died pretty quick, the other lasted a few months until I made a bunch of changes that killed it.

 

[ca1ore]

The main problem with these animals is that they don't ship/acclimate well and often don't find the foods that they need in our tanks. While it may be water quality parameters, I'd suspect it much more likely to either be a shipping or feeding problem. Arms deteriorating and falling off is a sure sign that the star is on it's way out.

 

[GimpyFin]

I tend to agree with ca1ore. Some of these stars just have a hard time getting the food they need from our tanks. Blue linckias can also be tough to keep alive long term due to this. I had a double sea star for a while (They are simply amazing looking), but he slowly went downhill when I had to move him to my new tank. I don't think the tank had enough established food for him, which I was afraid of before the move. My orange linckia, though, no problems.